that would be very interesting and would be super beneficial for the Leafs to still be flexible at TDL for other trades - however my thought was more along the lines of SJS retains the 2.25m and CGY saves a retention spot (Lindholm + Hanafin). I think the leafs can fit the 2.25 but your suggestion would be ideal for them.

I think if you’re SJS you’re really only hoping to use your slot on Duclair or Barabanov (Hoffman / anyone else is a waste unless it’s a massive Couture deal which isn’t happening).

So tagging in as the 2.25m for like a 3rd ish is worth it. Another team like ARI can tag in for the leafs if they want that 1.1 aav.

Yeah it's a tricky business now that they only have 1 slot for the next 2 years. Feels like this year is the best year to do it before the cap goes up and dilutes their "cap as an asset" value.

But you're right, you better just maximize the money and return as much as possible for that last retention spot.

Do you think Couture has Toronto as a team on his list or willing to waive for?

Couture would waive for any team that has cup potential - I think at 6.5m (1.5m retained) he’s worth a first + ish.

He’s a performer, and like Pavelski I don’t see age effecting him in the playoffs.

I don’t see many in season trades that will work though. The Leafs only feasible trade options are Bertuzzi (NMC) so tough to ever move away from a good team, and Brodie who’s actually a very useful player.

I honestly have no idea how the Leafs move forward after this year.

Nylander ain’t going to be dirt cheap, Brodie needs to take a team discount, Wolls up soon, and so on.

I think Couture actually fits really well in BOS, NJD, PIT but it’s so hard to conceive a realistic trade.

wait. wtf

Wait til you realize Blaine Forsythe is running the 7th best PP in the league in Arizona right now

Hes got a good shot and its been working

Look at what he did in the AHL. Like many players (See Vegas "Misfits"), all he needed was an opportunity.

NEWS: #NJDevils announce Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle.

Tomas Nosek re-aggravated the injury to his right foot, underwent surgery, and is also out indefinitely.

****ing brutal for Hamilton, he had such a great start to the season.

Best story of the season, imo. 27 year old AHL journeyman. Led the league in points last year despite bouncing up and down between Tucson and Tempe. Earned a one-way, two-year contract, and has run with it. I was hoping he'd be able to carve out a spot, but he's been great. I wasn't sure he'd be a regular after we picked up Zucker and Kerfoot. Has some holes in his game, but he's showing he can play at this level. Extremely happy for him.

Oilers have had three scouts (including their goalie scout) at each of the last three Blue Jackets games

They want Elvis it seems

Stefan Noesen last year did the same for the Canes after blowing up the AHL; some guys just take a couple extra years.

But would the Blue Jackets take Jack Campbell? No way Oilers can do it otherwise.

Akira Schmid getting the second game in as many nights in a rare B2B goalie start.

Simon Nemec also called up to the big club at RD.

Devils need a goalie to step up big time to save their season with Dougie out.

Hamilton
Hughes
Hischier
Meier
Haula
Miller
Nosek
Foote

It’s been a rough year on injury front. With way teams are playing NJ, expect many more to come.

First year for most of those guys making playoffs last year; usually it's the first half of the next season that it catches up.

Probs would need a third team for ret and to send someone like Foegele the other way to make cap work

Cause if they send down Broberg, and trade Foegele they got slightly more than 4m even with Jack burried

Also, who would even play in net for Columbus? I've heard that Greaves is skating again but not sure he is ready to take the net full time.

If I were Columbus or Montreal (someone looking to move a goalie out); I would consider going after Knight in Florida; or Driedger in Seattle. Knight to be a goalie of the future; Driedger as an audition for another TDL flip with NHL games to re-prove himself.

Martin and sign Halak

That's what they should do: play for another lottery pick

Merzlikins playing like he's got something on the line tonight

I would do it than look to flip Chinokov for someone else

Basically have a lot of good prospects to either use in the roster or trade bait

Gonna make an early prediction

Jake Allen = NJ

Elvis = EDM