impressive. a leaf fan that isnt totally insane.

everything actually seems reasonable here.
5/5

Regarding the goalie trade, I wonder if Toronto retained half of Bernier's salary would they only have to give up a second?

Ya, I dunno. Hard to guess how eager the Pens might be to move him, if at all. Or if they'd move him for one of our veteran wingers to save a bit of cap space instead of taking Bernier on to be a 1yr backup

I'm not a Leafs fan, but it certainly looks like they're heading in the right direction. My only concern would be caution about getting to the cap ceiling too fast. Russell for 5.1 means you'll still need to worry about a 5.1 cap hit for resigning Nylander, Marner, Mathews... Sure it's down the road. Just thoughts from a fan of a cap strapped team...lessons learned.

I would argue that a MAF for Bernier trade helps the Pens more than it does the Leafs as it will help them long term, no way you include that 1st.

All fair points. I don't see a defensive Dman in the system that might be able to step into a top 4 which is why I'm ok with Russell at around $5m which I'm guessing is what he'll sign for somewhere.

I've never been a huge fan of MAF myself but it's a way to land a proven tender while moving out some cap space in the process. There could be teams out there willing to take him on without sending an unfavourable contract back the other way which is why I thew in the late 1st.

I'd prefer to see the leafs try and use the Pitt first and some of their other picks to move up in the draft but we need some half decent goaltending too

Don't think its Leafs "method" to overpay for average UFAs, like Russell. The reality he is not needed. Might as well keep Greening for a year but there is no need for Holland. Regarding the trade, fair value, but do the Leafs want Fleury for three years then he's a UFA? Would their thinking be keep Bernier and the pick, develop Sparks and Bibeau and see what shakes out next summer. Might be more goalies available.
Also Brown, Leivo, Corrado probably have excellent chances to make the team.