Okay, c'mon you've all said it, "let's trade so and so for a bag of pucks, so we can get a better scorer, d-man, or goalie.
So I have been busy scribbling down little ideas that I can send to Kyle Dubas for his scrutiny.
It will not be easy. It will not be for the faint of heart. I’ve condensed this down to the top 8 trade proposals, as there were many, many variations of “Kasperi Kapanen for Player XYZ” with different prospect and pick combinations attached.
Here we go …
Kasperi Kapanen for Josh Manson
It’s not altogether implausible, given Manson has had a tough season, but fits Toronto’s need for an experienced right-shot defenceman to play in their top four. He’s cost-controlled and under contract for another couple years at a reasonable number. The biggest question here is can the Ducks afford to move out one of their few experienced D, and would they want a winger like Kapanen in return? My guess is they’d prefer a younger defenceman, which may make this move improbable, but the value proposition isn’t way off here.
Andreas Johnsson, Jeremy Bracco, 2021 second-rounder and Cody Ceci (with 50 percent retained) for Chris Kreider and Alexandar Georgiev
The Leafs are a bit low here, given the Rangers are hoping to land a first-round pick for the rights to rent Kreider. But Johnsson is probably worth more than Georgiev and there is a second-rounder included, plus a prospect like Bracco, who has at least some value, even during a tough season. I like the idea of getting an experienced LW like Kreider to fill the void left by Johnsson temporarily, although I’m not sure Kyle Dubas will have much interest in rentals, in any circumstance. There’s a framework here that could make sense, though, and I think a larger trade is how Georgiev might ultimately wind up in Toronto.
Kapanen and a fourth-round pick for Georgiev and Lias Andersson
This comes down to what you think of Andersson. I know he was taken seventh overall in 2017, but that’s currently looking like a terrible pick, as he hasn’t produced in the NHL or AHL when given an opportunity. He’s only 21, but if I’m trading Kapanen, I want a sure thing – likely on defence – not a couple of lottery tickets. Sorry Rangers fans.
Travis Dermott and Johnsson for David Savard and a pick
The Leafs and Blue Jackets are weird trade partners. I’m not sure why they ended up in so many proposals here, as Columbus is in basically the exact same spot in the standings as Toronto. There’s no clear buyer-seller relationship to be found. That said, Savard is a middle-of-the-road, right-shot defenceman who will turn 30 in the fall and has only one year left on his deal until he’s UFA. I guess if the Leafs are prepared to give up on Dermott, who’ll be cheaper and continue to improve, maybe there’s a fit here. But as of now, I expect Toronto would want more of an upgrade if they’re giving up two younger roster pieces like this. Besides, I loathe John Tororella.
Johnsson for Colin Miller
This frankly just seems like too much for Miller, who’s not playing a lot on a bad Buffalo team. I’m not convinced he’s more than a third-pair type.
Kapanen and Dmytro Timashov to Edmonton for Adam Larsson
Timashov has been shopped around the league with no takers and is barely playing, so he’s essentially a throw-in. This boils down to Kapanen for Larsson, which, is an intriguing idea. I think the deal would have to be expanded beyond that to make sense for the Leafs, however. The Oilers really like Kapanen, though, and he’d play higher in their lineup than Toronto’s. I do wonder about Larsson, given his age and injury history. I could see this being something talked about more seriously in the offseason. to Edmonton for Adam Larsson.
Kapanen and Dermott for Connor Murphy and Alex Nylander
This is a tough one. But I'm higher on Murphy than others, and I’m really uncertain if mini-Nylander is going to be an impact player in the NHL. Again, Dermott’s potential is a big factor here. Is he going to be a top-four defenceman? How you feel about his development is going to swing whether you’d want to pull the trigger on a trade like this or not.
Johnsson and Ceci for Malcolm Subban
We’re making Vegas retain salary on a near-league minimum backup goalie? Odd. But OK. Subban hasn’t had a great year, and it’s unclear how much of an upgrade he would be for the Leafs. Why give up someone like Johnsson for him? Plus Vegas isn’t exactly swimming in cap room to make this happen.
So you see, it's hard to make deals, even when all you do is sit on your ass in front of a keyboard for a couple of hours and produce drivel, such as it is.
Well, I saved the best one for last
Johnsson, Ceci, Trevor Moore (California kid), Bracco and Hutchinson for Manson, Miller and Nick Ritchie
I’m going to call this a Kitchen Sink offer. Throw together a whole pile of lesser assets and try and get fewer, better ones by hoping volume makes them look better. It doesn’t. There’s no reason on earth for Anaheim to do this unless Bob Murray is just a really big Leafs fan.
Look these ideas aren't any better than any of you folk could come up with. So with that I am going back to the couch and finish my coffee, and watch Murdock Mysteries.....at least he solves some riddles.
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