Quoting: GMBL
I think the preference would be to acquire someone who can log 20+ minutes, if they pursue someone on an expiring deal they could get some cap relief if they pay for the retention.
Here's a list of current/upcoming ufas (excluding those that just signed 1-year deals with a new team) that log 20+ along with Brodie:
1. Toews 25:06
2. Montour 24:07
3. Forsling 23:26
4. Hanifin 22:38
5. DeAngelo 22.03
6. Pesce 22:00
7. Skjei 21:48
8. Dumba 21:16
9. Brodie 21:13
10. Myers 20:58
11. Tanev 20:07
Don't see Toews, the Flr guys, Myers or DeAngelo as options. Skjei is iffy because of the cap hit but if CAR takes Brodie and a 3rd team retain in Skjei it's doable, not sure if the Leafs would go for that though.
The best replacement for what Brodie does and where he plays would be Pesce and Tanev.
Durzi was acquired on the Cheap by ARZ so they could rebound his value and flip him.
I highly doubt he's part on Bill Armstrongs long term build
RS on Brodie 30% and you'll still have enough to take on Durzi with 1-1.3m left roughly for another body.
ARZ can RS again at the TDL and at 1.5m cap hit Brodie will get them a decent return.
That said 1 for 1 is doing TML a favor and ARZ isnt in a rush to move Durzi
You'd have to add in something they value which usually means picks as Armstrong built STL via the Draft starting before his dad became STL GM.
He's continued that same approach in ARZ building his team via the Draft
Why risk it on Durzi given his defensive plays inconsistent?
His age means thats to be expected but what i find intriguing is when Doughty,Roy,Walker and Edler were on LTIR most of the year Durzi lead LAK to the playoffs as top guy and LAK made it a game further.
More important is his offensive upside specifically in terms of Power Play QB ability with 31/65 pts in his Rookie/Sophmore seasons he's still not even entered his Prime.
LAK gave up on him cause they arent willing to move Doughty or Roy nor are they willing to move Clarke leaving Durzi in no mans land on a team thats always tight against the cap.
Remember the steal your getting if you attempt a deal with ARZ and TML should know his quality given they drafted him based on his skillset of being Suzuki's PP QB for 4 season on 2 teams including a Memorial Cup Finals run to cap it off.