Much better ways for Leafs to gain cap space. It's just giving Kapanen away.

Well ya teams aren’t just gonna give away cap space. It’s called a trade. Giving something to get something.

You can trade Zaitsev and a pick for a worst pick back. You don't have to put a roster player in the trade to get it done, especially Kappy

I like this trade as a Leafs fan. I would try and remove all the picks together though.

Like what?

Also, Demelo is super underrated and would be slot in perfectly with Rielly as he did with Chabot.

As a Sens fan, I wouldn't want Zaitsev's contract.. even with Kapanen attached to it

Do trades like that actually happen? Can you give me some examples. Think of the Steve mason trade that Winnipeg and Montreal made last year. Those are the type of trades that happen to clear space.

Do you really think people are lining up to pick up Zaitsev's contract for a couple of late round picks? come on

One year of DeMelo? Ottawa would have give something up. As I suggested there are way better ways for Leafs to gain cap space then giving away 5 years of Kapanen.

My opinion is that Leafs should keep Zaitsev. Yes is contract is seemed as bad (mostly on CapFriendly) but a minute eating Dman making 4.5m isn't as bad as suggested. Agree with you that the Sens and maybe most teams might want 4.5m cap flexibility than trading for Zaitsev. But the Leafs have better options than giving away five years of NHL control of Kapanen for one year of needed cap space.

This is different, Zaitsev can be a top 4 on teams but is overpaid. Mason was never going to play in Montreal and the Jets included Armia in the trade. Kappenen is playing top 6 minutes. So maybe the Leafs include a 3rd or 4th liner with Zaitsev, maybe a B prospect, or maybe as I say a draft pick (like a second) to move his contract. But they are never going to include Kappy or would they ever have to.

Classic leaf fans analysis. Zaitsev is an offensive defenceman making 4.5million with 14points last year!!!! Your suggestion to add a 4th liner is priceless no GM is gonna go for that. What is Kapanen’s worth anyways? It’s not huge.

I swear to the mother of dragons, if we help the leafs one more time with their cap space issues, I'll bust some knee caps!

Is Kappy worth Demelo? Just take both of them out of the trade. Then it is Zaitsev and a 3rd for a 6th rounder. Is Kappy worth more then Demelo. Then make it Zaitsev and a 2nd for a 7th rounder. If someone signs Kappy to an offer sheet the compensation is likely a 2nd rounder. So I would even do Zaitsev 2nd rounder and a 4th for the Sens 5th and 7th round pick. Either way you are not getting Kappy.