03 May 2026 22:43:45
This one is a reach because I don't think Buffalo would go for it but if they did it would certainly give a different and nice look to our lineup.

Yes, I know people love Knies, but if we could trade him, Carlo and Macelli to Buffalo and get back Bowen Byram and immediately offer him major dollars to extend (he becomes a UFA next year and would be one of the youngest in that class), Zach Benson, and Peyton Krebs.

We would have that number one D-man, a number 2 centre (could be either Benson or Krebs as they can play left, and obviously one of them steps in at left to replace Knies). Might have to sweeten the pot but its one that isn't just about prospects and draft picks.

1.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 00:01:17
Ya I think this is a trade you’d make if you had to. Bottom line, we can afford to lose 30 goals out of the lineup if we gain huge defensive ground. I’d do this towards the end of the summer after you miss out on any UFA help. I’d hate to see Knies go but it maybe forced.

2.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 16:08:27
Last thing I wanna do is lose Knies. Tho….. that return I think we would have to jump on it. It just solves so many issue in one shot. Great prop! Normally I’d be never. Not Knies. That one wowed me can’t lie.

3.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 17:55:10
@Henry77 My thinking was that Buffalo is so deep with offensive dmen. He and Knies are pretty much even on the salary and Krebs and Benson are both RFAs so will be looking or probably a bit more than Macelli and Carlo.

So Buffalo probably saves enough to sign Tuch. But we fill 3 needs without chasing UFA’s from a weak class. Granted Buffalo would be crazy having Tuch and Knies up front for power forwards. But our roster takes a big improvement as well.

4.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 18:57:49
Glad that it wowed you. It’s tough to put together trades that truly work for both teams.

5.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 19:15:27
Can you break down how you worked out the values when figuring out the prop?

6.) 04 May 2026
04 May 2026 22:10:19
Knies for Bowen, Salary is pretty much a wash.
Carlo and Macelli for Benson and Krebs.

Carlo and Macelli between them Make $6.9
Krebs is looking at $3-$4 with his contract and maybe more they say with the Playoff he is having.
Benson is $4-4.5 if he bridges but $7 if he goes longer. So if the Leafs take them it actrually allow Buffalo to keep Tuch. Keeping Tuch is very hard to put a value on but is significant to have that room.

7.) 05 May 2026
05 May 2026 13:37:31
Thanks for the breakdown. My first thought was Buffalo says no. Still what I would believe after the breakdown.
To me, a top 2 D is worth more than a power winger. Maybe not by a big margin in this case, but still more.
Then I don't see Carlo and Maccelli equaling Benson and Krebs. Carlo may be their #4, but they are giving up their #2 to get him, which I can't see them doing as they rely heavily on their top 4 D-men.
Now the cap issues. They have $13.1M for next season. Knies makes $1.5M more than Byram.

Hardly a wash for a team that only has $13M in cap space imo. Add the $3.5M for Carlo and they are down to about $8M and still need to sign Maccelli and Kesselring. There is no way they keep Tuch (if he is looking for even $8M+) as well, unless they sell off other parts and find cheap replacements.
For comparison. You told me the Ducks, who have over $40M in cap space, can't take on Nylander even if they move out $4-$5M in salaries, yet Buffalo with $13M can take on salary and keep Tuch. Can't see how that makes sense.

8.) 05 May 2026
05 May 2026 21:04:06
Yeah I was off on the Knies Byram wash you are correct. Was multitasking at that point. To be honest I’m not sure how Buffalo can keep Tuch at all? By them in this situation keeping and signing Krebs and Benson with their new contracts will cost them more than adding Macelli and Carlo. They would have to move a pretty major contract somewhere for prospects and picks to keep him.

I keep getting this gut feeling the three most aggressive teams in UFA Market for him and Raddysh will be Chicago, San Jose and Pittsburgh. All 3 would love to land both and and all 3 woukd transform overnight (providing Raddysh is not a flash in the pan). Your thoughts on landing spots for those 2 RLF?