Nylander and Schmaltz

21 man roster til Robertson is 100% back is kind of a yikes. However, should be back close to start of year so maybe Leafs can survive it just not a lot of depth which could provide issues.

AZ has never made any indication they are looking to move him, its hockey media hacks they promote that. Willie without a contract isnt going to bring in some huge haul at TDL and in this proposal AZ gives up 2nd. So at the end AZ loses one of their top players, loses a 2nd, gains lafferty (they dont want), and hopes for something for a TDL rental (albeit a really good one but still a rental). This does not move AZ rebuild forward at all - it sets it back.

Not even in the same galaxy

TDL moves get made all the time with or without a contract. If guys like Bertuzzi, Gavrikov, Jeannot can get a 1st round pick...Nylander will get a 1st+. He won't get (2) firsts or any mega haul, but he'll get a good return.

Also, don't underestimate the financial impacts. That's NOT just media. FAR from it. AZ's been the dumping grounds for LTIR contracts, for Low Salary High cap hit, for non-signing bonus contract acquisitions for a decade plus. I can think of 10 off the top of my head. the money is a HUGE HUGE HUGE issue for them.

AZ gets a restart. They get out from under Chayka's mess ups. YES, it's taking longer, but when you lose 1st rounders like Chayka did...it takes time. Getting Tempe approved would have helped alot too. They're back at square one and I'm not convinced Mesa is a whole lot better than Glendale's situation. Tempe or Scottsdale...I'm in! It was a LONG drive to Glendale for night game after work.

Over the last (2) years... 0.95 PPG player for a 1.02 PPG player....delta of ~5.74 points, but AZ does not have the money. However, it's not exactly exploiting AZ either because they should want to do it too, but Schmaltz is very good.

Let me re-phrase this. Would you rather spend $10M on a 1.02 ppg player next year or $5.85M on someone that at VERY likely achieve the same PPG when he actually gets to play with a good team?