Doubt if Bozak would get that return from a rebuilding team. Michalek isn't going to waive his NTC again to go to Carolina. Do you really think Jones is that good? $ 2 m a year more than Rielly and to give up all those assets.

I actually made a mistake, wanted to give Rielly just a 2 year bridge contract, then give him the big pay day after that. As for the trades, they really are just a way of getting the players off the Cap so the money works, who knows where they will end up, it's all fun. As for Jones, yes I do. He's good, roughly the same age as Rielly and remember, he was rated 1st overall in his draft year, but slipped to #4 as teams made some bad decisions and didn't take him. So ya, worth a 1st because he was a high pick and worth the extra two picks because he has developed 3 years in the league, that is worth something, a lot actually. You build winning teams with strong defence. Having Rielly and Jones as the 1 and 1A pairing would be strong for a decade plus. Then you fill in around them. Valiev is going to be good, needs another half season in the AHL, Dermott, Nielsen perhaps. So much potential in the forward group and that lineup does not include who they will draft this year. Matthews maybe, pretty good chance at one of the Finns. I love Paljujarvi, think he is going to be a super star.

What my intention with all this was to show that even with big money given to Stamkos, the Leafs would still be under the Cap and have a much stronger lineup than they currently have. People are worried about signing Stamkos, I'm not. After a few years when some players are looking for their 2nd contracts, it might get interesting, but hopefully the Cap has gone up enough to help with that.