Sorry about the title. My inner 12-year-old insisted I do it.
Trade 1: Nylander to Seattle (I have posted a similar one to this before, I like this one.)
- Seattle gets a star player with game breaking ability who will also significantly improve their PP (with contract term - 9 years total).
- Toronto gets a top-4 "long D" who has a nasty streak and a potential future 2C and draft pick insurance in case Wright busts.
**I know many will say "they'll never trade Wright", but he's unproven, dropped in the draft, struggled last year in the NHL, and missed a year of development due to covid. While Nylander is proven, consistent, and in his prime. It really depends on if Seattle wants to push to win now after their success last year. Wright is a gamble on the part of both teams.**
Trade 2: Brodie back to CGY
- Calgary gets the dependable and versatile Brodie as a top-4 D to help stabilize their backend. He is also on an expiring contract, so they could potentially flip him for a tidy return if they aren't in the playoff picture at the TDL.
- Toronto gets back another "long D" with a nasty side who is a top-4/top-6 tweener, but has a lower cap hit than Brodie. He is on an expiring deal so there are no long term implications unless they elect to resign him.
Trade 3: Trading with Anaheim for Cap Relief
- Anaheim takes the Murray contract (4.7 cap, 6M real money, Ottawa pays the other 2M) and the Muzzin contract (Insured, LTIR eligible, bonus already paid) along with the rights to Nick Abruzzese as well as 3rd round and a 5th round picks.
-Toronto takes back the underperforming (bad contract) Brock McGinn who has 2 years left at 2.75M per season on the cap and real money, totaling 5.5M real dollars. Toronto either plays him or buries him in the minors costing them 1.6M against the cap.
*Anaheim essentially pays 500K and a contract spot for 2 draft picks and a prospect that is close to NHL-ready.
Signing: Samsonov (RFA) signed at 3x3.7M
NOTES:
Leafs can actually run a full 23-man roster if they want (I have a tidy 12.5K left on the cap). With no LTIR contracts they can also build cap space for the trade deadline to possibly acquire an additional piece heading into the playoffs.
Longer term, they will have the 4-6M cap bump + the cap space clearing next season from Zaradov (3.75M), Klingberg (4.15M), Domi (3M), Bertuzzi (5.5M). This will easily cover off a Matthews extension plus allow them to resign or replace some of those pieces. The hope would be that Knies, Wright, Liljegren, Roberston and Woll develop over the course of the season as well. If Wright pops off and he earns his bonuses there would be room to cover those off the following season as well.
Leafs get the underperforming McGinn for 2 years at a 2.75M cap hit and (5.5M in real money). Could place him in the minors to save another 1.2-ish M against the cap.
Muzzin contract is insured. Toronto paid his 2M bonus on July 1. Goes on LTIR at practically no cost to the Ducks.
Matt Murray can play backup for the ducks until he gets injured and then it is off to LTIR land. Best case scenario he plays well and doesn't get injured and he can be flipped for an asset at the TDL. He will cost them 6M in real money this year and 4.7~ on the cap (unless he goes on LTIR).
I still think torontos number one priority should be getting a right handed defenceman that can kill penalties. Its too hard as a left hander to pick the puck off the wall and get it up ice. You’re either on your back hand or you have to turn your back away from where you’re trying to go. Lilly has experience there but I wouldnt consider him ready to go up against the likes of stamkos pastrnak and ovi. And from what ive heard klingberg is not an option there either
Wright doesn't seem like he's going to be half as good as many thought. Nylander is just not worth moving because as we can see here, it really doesn't make us better. Oleksiuk is a good defenceman but he's not good enough to warrant Nylander and betting on Wright being a star is too risky for a win now team. You can improve the d without making this move.
Wright doesn't seem like he's going to be half as good as many thought. Nylander is just not worth moving because as we can see here, it really doesn't make us better. Oleksiuk is a good defenceman but he's not good enough to warrant Nylander and betting on Wright being a star is too risky for a win now team. You can improve the d without making this move.
While I agree Wright won't be as good as a top 3 pick (potential #1 overall previously) - he still will be a good NHLer eventually (maybe only a decent 3C), he has a decent ceiling and comes with control. Oleksiak is also no game breaker, but a decent top 4 with term.
This really comes down to contracts IMO-- Nylander is definitely the best player involved in the deal, but is the highest cap hit already, in his UFA year, and due a big raise. I don't think SEA considers this trade, even without the draft picks involved.
While I agree Wright won't be as good as a top 3 pick (potential #1 overall previously) - he still will be a good NHLer eventually (maybe only a decent 3C), he has a decent ceiling and comes with control. Oleksiak is also no game breaker, but a decent top 4 with term.
This really comes down to contracts IMO-- Nylander is definitely the best player involved in the deal, but is the highest cap hit already, in his UFA year, and due a big raise. I don't think SEA considers this trade, even without the draft picks involved.
While I completely don't believe that GM's see Nylander as poorly as everyone on here, if GM's also want to get Nylander for essentially nothing, he will remain in TO.
While I completely don't believe that GM's see Nylander as poorly as everyone on here, if GM's also want to get Nylander for essentially nothing, he will remain in TO.
Oh I'm not advocating to move Willy-- even if he's not extended-- I just don't see this return as "nothing". A 19 yr old with a good ceiling, and a top 4 D isn't a bad return if a move needed to be made.
It's just not a trade that I think SEA needs to make-- they can potentially sign him to that deal in 12 months, without giving anything up.
Oh I'm not advocating to move Willy-- even if he's not extended-- I just don't see this return as "nothing". A 19 yr old with a good ceiling, and a top 4 D isn't a bad return if a move needed to be made.
It's just not a trade that I think SEA needs to make-- they can potentially sign him to that deal in 12 months, without giving anything up.
It's a prospect and a 2nd pair defenceman. Neither are worth nylander.
Wright doesn't seem like he's going to be half as good as many thought. Nylander is just not worth moving because as we can see here, it really doesn't make us better. Oleksiuk is a good defenceman but he's not good enough to warrant Nylander and betting on Wright being a star is too risky for a win now team. You can improve the d without making this move.
Will be better then Nylander could ever dream of being once Hakstol finally figures out how to develop him properly
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