Buffalo passes. Our Zamboni driver better

Preds pass.

Niemala is a nice piece, but the Preds want a sizable asset coming back in a Nino deal, and Topi isn’t it.

🤔🤔🤔..... not sure how you value Neideritter, but over his career is has been über streaky. On average a 50 point winger who plays with size. What exactly do you think you are going to get here?

Now I am not saying that doesn't have value, but that package is actually a pretty good return. I might suggest the picks be bumped up a round.... retention for the year and all.

I will say that pick one of Neideritter or Henrqiue. Playing Henrique on the 3rd line is a waste imo. He is still a top 6 forward playing top 6 minutes. Actually,he is playing more minutes than Neideritter.

I can appreciate trying to add more of an offensive element to the 3rd line, but Henrique maybe overkill.

And as I said, everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, I play Henrique over Neideritter on the 2nd line.... which might make Neideritter kind of pointless.

Just a placeholder team.

I kinda get what you mean. I'm curious however, who do you think would be a good option to add some offense to that third line? Someone who doesn't cost too much.

Would adding another prospect, maybe someone like Abruzesse do the trick? The biggest reason I thought Niemela would fit was because the predators don't really have a really good defense prospect.

Anaheims not going to be able to flip Kerfoot for a third unless we retain on him. We also have two other UFAs in Klingberg and Shattenkirk to consider retaining on, so no, it's not likely we can flip Kerfoot for a third. Drop the retention on Kulikov and we might have a deal, or swap the 2023 5th with Ottowa 2023 3rd.

100% what my boy said here.

We likely won’t have a retention slot available for Kulikov and will probably get a 3rd elsewhere for him without it so either add or drop him from this deal

Neither Kerfoot or Abramov interest us much at all either

Niemala is great for the Preds. Nice thinking there, just we need a pick (maybe a 2nd and a 3rd) coming back with him. I value Nino at right around a 1st, so Niemala and two picks would work well

Two additional points: Henrique spends time on the penalty kill and is the team's most reliable, and relied-upon, faceoff man.

Maybe but see if your team ever gets past first round before Matthews flees for west coast

It's a thought for sure. One school of thought is by picking up a top 6 winger, you effectively do that moving Järnkrok/Kerfoot to the third line.

The bigger question is how plays centre that can do that? Where Henrique could fit, I see that as a waste of his talent. And moreover, if the Leafs opt for this option, term maybe a factor too. Jason Dickinson could be an interesting option..... sound defensively, and generally a 30 point guy. Ivan Barbashev is another. Last year I feel is an outlier, but he does bring a physical brand and again, generally a 30-40 point guy. Gotta think that cost point will be higher.....

I have come to the conclusion that Henrique has to be the target.

Question is, can the Leafs peel him without moving a 1st? Roberston is flat out of the table, Knies is a non-starter. Really think at this stage it is Neimela and a 2024 2nd...... and I am not sure if that quite does it.

You guys bought 7 games of Nick Foligno for a first and a fourth -- here you're getting another whole season of a quality center who is still producing. I don't think that it's out of the question.

I am not saying Henrique isn't worth a 1st, more the Leafs aren't in the best position to be moving one (lack of picks in general). Why I would avoid at all costs.

When your that thin at the draft table, best be getting quality for the system.

Really, Neimela and a 2nd probably = a 1st. Buy we know the talent pool in the first round is much stronger than the 2nd.....