I've thought a lot about this. I am fine with resigning Kerfoot but I wouldn't want to pay more than 2 million for him.

He deserves 15 million

Over 8 years? hahah

You can certainly go for Henrique. Just temper the expectations that he'll be a Bunting replacement. They're not really even that close to comparable. Speedy gritty winger vs Methodical defensive 1st center.

I would accept that offer as the Anaheim GM.


They're certainly not comparable in style, but when healthy, Rico produces at the same rate as Bunting. Plus, he kills penalties, excels in the faceoff circle, and is defensively responsible at a high level but takes 1/5 of the penalties that Bunting takes. He'll be cheaper than Bunting next season, too. The risk is his health. I would temper that by including a conditional 2024 third (whichever is our earliest) which the Maple Leafs receive if Henrique plays in fewer than 61 games in 2023-2024. Meanwhile, because he IS a rental, I'd add our 2023 fourth to the deal.

Yeah, but we have to take Murray, and his actual salary is massive compared to his cap hit. Even with Ottawa retaining salary, we would be paying him $6 million.

That's fine. The first-round draft pick gets me every time. It's only money, and it's not mine.

Only one year tho. plus you can buy him out

Not exactly the response you see when it comes to Toronto deals, I'm a fan.

I can live with your proposal, especially considering you put conditions in place for picks based on his health.

As for the roster itself, if the trade goes through, Kerfoot is likely the odd man out. You're a bit short on what ROR's deal would look like, in my opinion. You'll need some of Kerfoot's money to bump up ROR.

Or bury him in San Diego.

You have to understand that my friend Giggy isn't concerned about the cap hit but about the internal cap on which our somewhat impecunious team operates. But I love the thought of giving Rico a legitimate chance at the Cup in the twilight of his career, and that plus the first-round draft pick convince me that this is a good idea for all three parties.

Just to be clear, the 2023 fourth isn't conditional, because I think that the value is a teeny bit short.

It would still cost Anaheim ~$4 million in real money to buy out Murray, and we are retaining ~$3 million on Henrique.

We'd be paying ~$7 million cash, and loosing our 1LW for the 23 1st and a high risk, high reward prospect in Robertson/young player, whom I personally like, but his injury history is significant for only being 21. Furthermore, Boston could be pick 32.

I know it's not my money, but if I'm putting on my pretend Verbeek glasses and cracking open a Monster energy as the GM of a small market team, real money considerations play heavily into my decision making.