On the basis that somehow someway Jon Tavares signs with the Leafs, I would think that Nazem Kadri automatically becomes the Leafs best and most valuable trade chip. Trading Kadri to a team like Carolina, who is desperate for scoring and center help could potentially net the Leafs Noah Hanifan and maybe even Nicholas Roy (4C option).

So your logic is as follows

Awesome we upgraded our 2nd line centre position with Tavares and our 1 RHD with Dumba. We may now have the best centre depth in the NHL (Arguable but its close).
Lets immediately trade our now crazy good 3C Kadri and wipe out that new amazing depth we have.

How about, keep Kadri and Nylander for that matter and find a RHD that won't cost us one of our best 3 players in Nylander. Like Tyler Myers or Chris Tanev, both of who are likely a better fit for what Toronto needs.

Hey Leaf fans, take a deep breath, we only need minor moves moving forward, don't go crazy and trade talent for the sake of making deals.

Maybe I was not clear, I meant trade Kadri instead of Nylander. If the Leafs can get a kings ransom for Kadri, and it helps their defense, why not make a move. The Leafs will need to address their D and as we all saw in round 1 against Boston, you can't win the playoffs without solid defense.

Yeah, if the Leafs do sign Tavares, I don't see Kadri going anywhere for the reasons you suggested, plus the fact that he's on a great contract and hitting his prime now. And yes, the Myers/Tanev option that you point to, which allows us to keep the 3, has been played by many on this fake gm game - and I think both of those guys are a real options. But if Tavares is available I believe the leafs will take a swing at him, and if they connect on a deal that makes sense, I don't see how we can fit all 3 under the cap unless nothing happens with the D, which I think gets addressed to some degree this summer. If Tavares comes in, I think Willy heads out in exchange for a d - and if its a good d that addresses needs moving forward then I think that's a fair play

Maybe but if the Leafs are in a cap crunch and Nylander is the one to go, that means the return would be lowered. I think you make the big 3 the priority because long term, they are your best 3 players. They could very well be better than Tavares within the next 3 years. To be honest, Tavares's speed is a concern for me. I think the team speed that we can surround him with would make him better but when the Leafs played them last year, Kadri's line ran circles around Tavares. It was Barzal that looked like the star in those games. Kadri always plays well against JT though.

I think TO needs to make 2 changes on D, move Gardiner cause he is too soft in his own zone and bring in Myers or Tanev. Hell if you can get both without giving up 2 firsts, do that and trade Gardiner for literally anything.

I have no issue with trading Gardiner, and I don't think he ever plays with the Leafs again. However, I think at some point, the Leafs will need to sacrifice from offense for upgrading their defense. On the open market, I think based on positional need, considering other factors like age and contract as well, I think Nazem Kadri gets the Leafs more. Aside from all that, and unsure of cost, I would like to see the Leafs trade for Justin Braun. He may not be a top pairing pairing, but he is a top-4 and great in his own end.

Fair points, and its getting hard to anticipate when current stars in their prime might start to lag given how young and fast the game is getting. But I do like the idea of 28 yr Tavares on a seven year contract that takes him to 35 and brings Mathews nicely to 28 yrs... that sets the stage for on-going mentoring and succession. Plus he brings that 'gud pro" element that Babs loves, plus I don't see the Leafs saying they're not interested if Tavares does make it to free agency. It should be interesting. But yeah, I'm good with keeping the three, moving Willy to 3 C, and swinging at Myers with a first and then signing, say a Derek Ryan or someone like that for 4C. That seems logical and pretty straight forward. Just requires patience, and takes away some of the fun of speculation

I would not spend money on a 4C, Altonen will be able to be good enough, or Goat. They are both cheaper than a free agent will be and will be comparable. No one has ever won the cup because they had the best 4th line centre. They win cause their stars are better than the other teams stars.

I like the idea of getting both, and I'm sure that could be done with a Myers/1st+ and maybe a Gards/Marting (cap dump) for Tanev and a late pick. That makes the right side pretty damn strong with possible pairings of Reily/Tanev .. Dermott/Myers .. Hainsey/Z . Then re-sign Myers, let Tanev walk when his contract is up and open a spot up for Lilly??? And we keep the big 3.

There. Fixed. This **** is easy.. Do you wanna talk about the health care system now?

lol. I agree, but you should tell Babs that and see if we can get those two 2nds back...

I have no problems picking up a 4C at the deadline but only as a rental. Getting a guy that can kill penalties, provide veteran leadership and win faceoffs is super valuable if you're looking like a team that can make waves in the post season. Spending free agent money on one is silly though.

Could be true, but we don't really know if willy can hack 3C (I think he can), and Aaltonen and Lindholm havent proved anything yet. If Willy goes to 3C this year I think they find some insurance in case he flakes out. And, I don\t know.. I'm not entirely sure Trutleneck or Boyle hada huge impact. I was fine with Moore this year, adn for the matter Fehr, he seemed to do fine in SJ once he got a shot

Regardless, can we send Goat out to pasture and keep him fenced in the AHL. I think he can be a great marlie, but with the game getting faster he look pretty out of place the games i saw him play with the Leafs this year - don't think he fits the team plan any longer

Without Plecks I don't think the Leafs get close to game 7, he played great when moved up into the 2nd line spot. He also looked real good when he was playing with Johnsson and Kapanen on the 4th line. You're right though, having some insurance isn't a bad idea but I just don't see it coming at a good price point. Riley Nash has been a 4C his entire career and then blows up in Boston with a big year. He'll now ask for over 3 mill a season and will likely be a good 4C again. I wouldn't be against a 2 year deal for Bozak but at less than 3 and someone like Montreal would give him 4x5 likely.

Agree on almost all of this., except maybe Bozak - I don't think he'll give that much of a discount and some one will pay for him. Definately agree with Nash... 1 yr does not a player make. i think there is a high chance some team is going to be dissapointed in what they pay for,. But I could be wrong, it happens alot

Free Agency is the worst time of the year for almost all decisions.

Trade dealine is a close second. Can't say I agree with Burke much, but I think he once said something similiar to what you wrote. Sometimes the best option is to do nothing.. but its so damn tempting to try and fix shi*t, even when its not broken - helps to fill the day

Burke said that after he spent much of his career making terrible free agent signings. Komisarek anyone?

yup. that sums up the madness