Hard for CGY to say no to that trade... but it leaves us with a HUGE gap at center with no decent C prospects ready to make the jump.

Hmmm... a 4th or the guy the Canes literally just got at the deadline who has been a long term target for Eric Tulsky and company? Canes pass. There's too much upside to move Puljujarvi for that little without doing it for a reason (E.G, Edmonton using the cap space they cleared with Puljujarvi to get Ekholm)

They probably would decline for that price, not sure what he's worth. I just think he's someone the Leafs should try to target

Finally! A Murray trade the Hawks accept

Because the Leafs badly overpay. Timmins AND a 1st for only a 7th for a guy with less term and who preforms better?

Yeah I know. I'm just tired of all the trades where Hawks take Murray for a 4th or 5th, or actually give the Leafs a pick to take him. Those are all equally ridiculous.

The most common one that I've seen is the Mrazek trade which is probably what's going to happen

I think for that reason they would have to decline, unless they know they can't sign Lindholm and have a good shot at re-signing Marner under $10m

Yeah. That's a common one too. But it's a whole different situation this off season. Last year, Mrazak actually filled a need the Hawks had and our brand new GM wanted to kick start the rebuild. Now, Hawks still have Mrazak and Soderblom, plus 2 more young goalies they have signed since the Mrazak trade last season. And they've added a couple more 1st round picks as well. Need for Murray is far less. Not saying the Hawks don't want the Boston 1st - I'm sure they do. but at best it will be the Rangers 2nd (#56) going back to Leafs - not #44. And more likely the Hawks '23 3rd (#67) will be what the Hawks offer. That's my take. Guess we'll see.

The only other scenario would be: trade #56 and #67 for Matt Murray (who proceeds to be bought out) and Boston's 1st, it would be like moving down while getting a cap dump off the books and the Hawks get a more quality player

Then the Leafs need to pay up more than a 4th

Hawks definitely won't give up both #56 and #67 in this trade. It would one or the other. My feeling is if the Leafs are insisting on #44, Hawks just take a pass and don't make the deal. Might be smarter for Leafs to just buy him out.

That's what I trying to propose but Leafs fans are all up in arms about the 2 mill cap hit in 2024-25

I'm a Hawks fan btw so I would love the deal from our side lol.

It's definitely an overpay to trade away that contract but the Leafs have zero leverage - Hawks have no reason to not demand a first rounder. From the Leafs perspective, their picks at this point really serve no purpose considering the demographic of their roster - they're in win-now mode. Any extra bit of cap flexibility to sign FAs/resign Matthews & Nyalnder is more valuable imo.

TBH, what I want the Leafs to do is:
Trade Nylander for Hanifan+ if possible/resign him if not
Sign Matthews for 14.5/8years
Trade Marner for more depth and save a little on cap space
resign ROR
resign Kampf
Find a Bertuzzi type player for in front (besides Tavares)
If AM34 wants to be captain, make him captain and Tavares assistant
resign Sammy
Buy out, then sign Murray for league min (for the SC expirience)
Try and keep trading for more value than what you acquired.
And see what happens from there