Connor Carrick has signed a new contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

AAV is a little higher than I imagined but not a bad signing.

I'm surprised he was able to get $1.3m; this is a sign that Dubas likes him, and the TML expect him in the top 6.

Wonder if there is something in the works that sends out Gardiner, move hainsey to #3LHD, and then a top 2 RHD steps in, or Zaitsev is packaged out?

I'm thinking this:

1. Zaitsev + Brown + 2 Mid-Prospects (Timashov, Brooks, etc) + 2019 4th FOR Pesce (Carolina downgrades at RD but gets some offense & prospects).
2. Gardiner + Bracco + McElhinney + 2018 1st + 2018 3rd FOR Trouba + Mason (Winnipeg needs LD and cap space so we take Masons $4m for the year).

Rielly ($5,000,000 x 4) + Trouba ($5,750,000 x 6)
Dermott ($875,000 x 2) + Pesce ($4,025,000 x 6)
Hainsey ($3,000,000 x 1) + Carrick ($1,300,000 x 1)

DEFENSE TOTAL = $19,950,000

Borgman ($925,000) - Holl ($925,000)
Rosen ($925,000) - Ozhiganov ($925,000)
Marincin ($925,000) - Liljegren ($895,000)

Defense is now fixed (and fairly inexpensive for the long term). Plus our right side still looks good (Marner + Nylander + Kapanen + Leivo).

Too bad it'll never happen.

If he gets a regular spot in the top 6 this signing is fine. If not...

The Leafs had to offer that much or else a team could have offered him a contract and got Leafs would not have got any compensation. I just don't think he's good enough to be a NHL regular.
Who is the better 3rd right side Dman. Carrick? Ozzy? Maybe Dermot goes to the right side. Anyway we know what he is, Good luck to him, he seems like a good guy. Playing RHD and will probably always be cheap, he could have NHL career till he's in his thirties, but he may never get regular minutes unless there is an injury.