Have fun with the cap next year. Even with Gardiner leaving, you will need to move Zaitsev. I realize that goes without saying.

Thanks for the obvious comment...in case you didn't realize this is an ACGM for 2018-19 where the leafs have plenty of freedom to makes moves before the cap crunch of next year

I know it’s an obvious comment, but when I do a post like yours, I get all sorts of feedback like that from everybody. At least I made a suggestion like trading Zaitsev. All I usually get is flack. Sorry for the trouble.

I personally think you could get more than Simmonds using the first...but I also might think that just because I'm not really a fan of trading for Simmonds in the first place.

I think Simmonds on a line with Kadri and Kapanen would make a great combo in the playoffs. Or even use him and Hyman as Babcock's beloved 'worker bees' on the top 2 lines. But I'd also be hesitant to use a 1st round pick on a pure rental.

Unfortunately it is true, though. We can't add major dollars on the blueline for next year without moving similar kind of cap space out. Seems like Dubas has been trying to get the Marner and Matthews extensions worked out before the deadline so he has some clarity on what space he has to work with next year...but, Marner in particular, has no interest whatsoever in talking contract right now

Think Toronto could fetch Simmonds without the first? Perhaps Brown, a 2nd round pick and a solid prospect?

I think that's fair value...but will depend on what other teams are offering Philly instead. Not saying Connor Brown is worth a late first round pick...but Philly is more likely to be re-tooling...so maybe they prefer Connor Brown + in a trade vs a late 1st round pick. that may or may not ever play for them.

Fair enough. I agree the first rounder could be used to help the back end, but if Toronto could add a solid top 4 guy on the right side (and have Babcock shuffle the pairings like so) and then throw in a gritty guy like Simmonds I think that lineup could get rolling into the playoffs and do some damage.

Ya...I've kind of become an Adam McQuaid fan as a deadline pickup. Someone who won't cost a whole lot to obtain but can play 18 mean minutes a night. His advanced stats are down a bit this year but that likely has more to do with moving from Boston to NYR than anything else.

Mind you I was always a fan of Roman Polak when we had him...moreso in the playoffs vs regular season. I don't think anyone needs enforcers anymore...but if they add a Simmonds up front and a McQuaid on the back end I think we become a tougher match-up for other squads without sacrificing speed or skill