19 Sep 2018 12:38:00
My answer to Jodes challenge:

Leafs trade Gardiner, Zaitsev
Avs trade Johnson, Jost

With Makar coming up, Avs will be looking to unload Johnson. Leafs get a solid RHD that is clearly better than Zaitsev and will hold top spot for a year or two until Liljegren is ready. For doing them the favor of taking on Johnson and his contract, we get a highly rated prospect player in Jost.

Avs need LHD, as Zadorov is currently their best LHD. Gardiner steps right in as 1LHD and adds an offensive punch to an already strong defensive force. With a top four of Gardiner/ Barrrie, Zadorov/ Zaitsev, and with Makar likely to make his NHL debut this year, Avs have a back end that can deliver night after night.

1.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 17:20:00
It seems to me that trading the entire 2nd pair to strengthen the first pair creates a much larger void than it fills.

Reilly-Johnson
Dermott-Hainsey
Borgman-Ozhiganov
Carrick

Yarp that's a pretty green D.

2.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 17:58:29
When I threw this out there it was under the assumption Dermott and Liljegren could play second pairing and play well. Bottom pairing was explained as a $1m player as well as hopefully a veteran for in the range of $3m

One mistake I made was somehow I had Dermott on a new contract which is incorrect. So an extra $2m to spend.

D could look quite good. Depends on development. Either way doesn't matter. Not a whole lot of cash. Won't have a $25m defence.

3.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 18:44:16
At $6M bucks, I donâ€™t think Johnson is the guy for us anyway. Would much rather have Makar. But thatâ€™s never going to happen.

4.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 18:54:58
Yeah when I asked the question I knew this wouldn't be easy. And the assumption RE second pairing may not work out. Who knows. Just hard to imagine $61m paid to 9 players (tavares / MAtthews / Marner / Nylander / Kadri / Reilly / Gardiner / Andersen / Zaitsev) and having enough to pay the other 11. But that's me. For 2019.

5.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 19:41:55
To me, moving the Horton contract before next season will be vital to ensure no cap overages. But if you subtract Hortons contract, the Leafs have 18M in space right now. Gardiner and Hainsey off the books brings it up to 25. Is that enough to sign all three of those guys? Yikes. Even after all that, Doobie has his work cut out for him. Cap hell is right around the corner.

6.) 19 Sep 2018
19 Sep 2018 20:46:03
Yep. But get through 2019

I also get that I am cutting payroll by $5m from cap. Reasoning as said is to have money in case of injury or just to add.

7.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 00:08:52
Hence why I think Kadri will be traded first, then Reilly next in two years before his NTC kicks in. I really hope Dubas diesnt keep letting all these high end UFAâ€™s he canâ€™t afford to re-sign just walk instead of trading them for futures or other assets.

8.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 02:30:00
Been saying Kadri for a while. Sucks but again he could bring in a Pesce type player. And yes, I would move Nylander there assuming he stays.

9.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 04:43:47
Trying this differently. I think we can all agree they need some cheaper talent to make this all work. So want to look at the "non stars"

For 2019

Marleau gone: not sure there is much choice

Johnson performs. Quite well this year. Needs a new contract. Scored 25 goals and won rookie of the year. I assume most would agree a keeper should that happen. So hyman makes 2.2. Johnson does this. Does he get 3? Likely imo. First line lw? Not bad price if he is. Think most would agree he stays

Hyman final year 2.2. 5.2 total. good value

Best case grundstrom does well and takes third line lw. Say 800k

Bottom line lw? Let's say a veteran at $1m. Total for lw $7m but a lot has to go right

Third line rw? Kapanen earns. Does well but not as well as Johnson. 2.5?

Fourth line rw and c. Million each. Total of $11.5. Pretty bargain basement pricing for all that. Can it be better?

Defence: looking at lilejgren / Dermott as $1.5m and the second pair. Wishful thinking? Likely but going with it. Last 2 d we spend only $1m each. Total of $3.5
That means $15m spent Second goalie and some wiggle room that's $16m. If anyone thinks cheaper not sure where.

$61m on the other 9 above and it works. Lots of ifs though. Not sure I want to count on all that.

10.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 04:45:53
And mars bars

I don't quite get the whole ltir thing. Thought they could bury hortons contract.

11.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 04:58:05
Now if anyone wants to trade from that cheaper group fine but they need that level of talent at those prices so I say no. Which leads us back to the top 9. Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Reilly and Anderson are not going anywhere imo. So who have we got if we want to improve that Rd

Nylander
Kadri
Gardner
Zaitsev

If we can get nylander at price we want, do we really want to trade him. Assume we get the number. Then it's no. Or is it? Idk. Maybe u trade him for that Rd and gardener for someone who can score? That way u keep KadrI. Hold on to zaitsev until he at least rebuilds value?

Not a clue. Answers come from someone smarter than I.

12.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 05:48:21
@jodes

Players on LTIR count against the cap until season starts. Only then can a team get cap relief by placing a player on LTIR. Thatâ€™s why Hortonâ€™s contract is a real bugaboo for Leafs right now. Itâ€™s a rather large $5M and counts against cap until season starts. And of course we have to sign Matthews and Marner at that time. It could negatively affect the negotiations and limit us on who we can sign for depth and UFAâ€™s. Once season begins, we can place Horton on LTIR and use the $5M his contract is worth to acquire another player.

13.) 20 Sep 2018
20 Sep 2018 08:16:48
Horton's contract always counts against the cap. Once the season starts and he's officially on LTIR, the Leafs cap increases by the exact same amount as Horton's cap hit, thus providing "relief. "