I think it’s fair. However, for me this falls into the category of ‘why make this deal’. It’s basically Pesce for Kapanen as I don’t see either team signing the pending UFAs.

I think I’d pass as the canes if offered this. Pesce too valuable to trade in a ‘fair’ deal. Need a wow offer to be motivated to move him.

Its a fair deal but I dont see Canes taking on Gardiner. Pesce would cost Kapanen+ thats why I think Leafs wont do it. Both teams would have their reasons on why not do it and why yes..

I think the deal makes a lot of sense. Not sure how brave either side would be to pull the trigger.

Leafs have been going on a little run again and looking to lock up the 2 seed in the Atlantic. Kapanen has been a big part of the team success all season and, for me, has been one of the few guys on the team you can a consistent effort from every night.

Canes are sitting one point out of a wildcard spot. They've stayed in the hunt and, IMO, Pesce is their best shut-down d-man.

Any time a trade is made between playoff contenders that involves roster players carries an element of risk....even if the leafs need D and the canes need O...does the balance or chemistry the team currently has get thrown off course with this kind of trade?

But it does make sense. Canes get a great 2LHD man (which I think is where the right-shooting Pesce has been playing anyway), and a great top 6 winger that can skate, PP and PK. They probably don't keep Jake but they don't sacrifice skill or their chances to sneak into the playoffs with this return

The Leafs lose Kapanen but Ennis is coming back soon and Moore has proven he looks like he belongs...so there's internal replacements on the right side. Ferland adds some more skill and grit to the left side. Can see Lindholm moving over to 4C and Gauthier going to the pressbox...Brown back over on the right side and then figuring out who fits best where. Gardiner out makes Muzzin a natural fit in his spot beside Zaitsev with Pesce playing alongside Rielly, IMO.

So the deal makes sense...even if theres some draft pick compensation needed on each side to balance it out...but the trade would cause a significant ripple in each lineup that may or may not pay off.

Doesn't this also add to next year's cap crunch for Toronto? Instead of signing Kapi to a 2.7-3 million RFA contract you take on over 4 million?

Yes

No more a cap crunch as trying to resign Gardiner and Kap or trying to find a Defenseman to replace Gardiner.