I'll never understand why Miller, a competent NHL RHD is constantly traded to the Leafs for so little, so frequently.

Cap situation. thats it. And bad season. He isnt worth that much. Id say RHD prospect and 3rd maybe? IDK. But I dont want him on Leafs. I dont see a fit.

I'd rather just Zaitsev. If Zaitsev doesn't want to play as a Leaf (and stays in Russia)....hey doesn't that reduce the cap.

Because the Golden Knights are backed into a corner in regards to the salary cap. Teams know that the Knights need to move salary and it's well known that Miller is the odd man out on the D-corps - continually lowering his trade value the longer the offseason goes on. (Don't forget, he was also a healthy scratch and injured for the Knights last year which also does a number to his trade value.)

He is definitely NHL player and after overpayments on july 1st, his contract would become really good. Especially after Myers signs his reported contract.

But who would you replace Zaitsev with on the blue line? You have to ice a team.

I cant see Kapanen or Johnsson taking less than 3.5, especially on anything more than a 2 year deal. I think they'll both be closer to 3.75-4 for 2 years or more

And the Leafs aren't in the same corner? Then by your logic why obtain Miller is he's a healthy scratch? And obtaining 3.875m Miller forces the Leafs into playing Sandin/Liljegren who are not NHL ready.(

Zaitsev wants out, Miller is logical ( and skillwise compensation on the proper $$ contract ) suplement for him that would proly come cheap, while VGK are in deep mud now....

As i stated many times before....im ok with Zaitsev as TML.....1M overpaid for 2nd Pair D quality but still....

Then I have about 4m in cap space to find a NHL competent Dman Gee, I'd would sign Hainsey. And if the Leafs really wants to free money for a Dman, a forward may have to traded, but so many Leaf fans don't want to that.

The problem with Hainsey is that he's a LHD playing on the right side which is an issue in the 2019 fast paced NHL. Pinches in the offensive zone become more difficult and it takes a split second more to switch to his forehand to make a play. This can result in turnovers, more blocked shots/passes, and odd man rushes the other way. I also don't trust Babcock to play Hainsey where he's supposed to be played - on the 3rd pairing LD. He also needs to move the puck to his LD partner (usually Rielly) to make a zone exit. This makes it easy for opposing teams to defend against - just look at the Boston series over the last two years.

It's been reported by Bob McKenzie at the draft that he expects Kapanen will have a $3.2 million cap hit on a three year deal while Johnsson's cap hit will be $3.4 on a four year deal when both are formalized. Gotta keep up with the news.

That’s an easy no from the Isles. There is no room for an overpaid Zaitsev to be the 8th d man on the roster. Just because LL signed him the the deal does not mean he wants him now. There are 7 better d man already on the team.

That's true, after the monster deals coming in the next couple weeks, his cap hit will be more digestible relative to other d-man cap hits. My problem is the Leafs need a RD who can exit the zone. Zaitsev continually passed the puck to his LD partner or iced the puck. This made the Leafs zone exits very predictable and easy to defend. It wasn't just Zaitsev however, I had the same issue with Hainsey and Oz. Seemed like the Leafs could never move the puck out of the defensive zone on the right side.

He also wants out of Toronto.

Vegas is in cap hell and Miller really hasn't played above 3RD successfully in his life. He's a great PP option, but is that really a plus for Toronto? I doubt he'll take ice time away from Rielly.

Unless you think Miller is ready for higher level of comp (2RD) I don't really see any point in trading for him.

There is no logic of playing Hainsey on the so called 3rd pairing when on the Leafs team he is a top 4 Dman. Hainsey wasn't over worked like a rented mule last year because of "Babcock's trust". He was used so much because there was no one better. And now this year without Gardiner and an injured Dermot, the Leafs depth is even worse.

Folks get so wrapped up in LHD and RHD it's foolish. Yea it would be nice to have 3 or 4 right shooting Dmen, Fact is right shooting players comprise just 40% of NHL players. So odds are you not getting a full complement on the right side. Competence is more important than handiness. To think Liljegren can play top 6 minutes this season just because he right handed defies logic. And to be paired with an other rookie,

I agree with you, but it's hard to argue with folks when they are so obsessed with handiness. I'd rather pay Hainsey 3.875m for one year than trade for Miller.

Because even though Miller has defensive flaws that rival Zaitsev's, he can exit the zone on the right side, which the Leafs d-corps could not seem to do last season. Vegas had more depth on the back end and had the luxury to play other d-men on the right side instead of Miller. The Leafs do not have that luxury. The Leaf's RD last season (Hainsey, Zaitsev, Oziaghanov) had major issues exiting the defensive zone. They resorted to religiously moving the puck to their LD partner or icing the puck. This made the Leaf's zone exits very predictable and easy to defend. I think adding a decent puck mover on the right side is worth his cap hit, can eliminate SOME of the RD zone exit issues, and adds another element to their offense.

In regards to Sandin and Liljegren, both have taken major steps with the AHL Marlies last season, especially Sandin. They are projected to compete for spots in training camp this year. It was even rumoured that if Liljegren didn't get injured mid-season, he could have made the jump to the NHL before the playoffs.

gotisbehere, but PHI would want a lesser contract

but theyd want a kapanen, not a brown

I know ghost is a LD but he can move the puck and is still young and cheap

I've argued this exactly for Edmonton due to the fact that we have several great D prospects coming soon. Does Toronto have anyone that is probably 1 year away from playing in the top-4? If not, then acquiring a defenseman could make sense. I don't mind your Hainsey idea but that's probably only good for next year, I don't think he'll be playing at a high level any longer than that.

Leafs are optismitic that two former 1st rounders are NHLer 2020/21....Sandin and Liljegren. Logic says they will be ready but not this year. So along with Reilly and Dermot that's four. Plus Zaitsev or his 4m cap relief or Muzzin or his 4m cap relief.....that's another two for 6. Plus Rosen who is counted upon this season. Plus Duzsak a NCAA signee....that makes eight. So in 2020/21 think the Leafs will be solid on defence and relatively cap efficient too. But 2019/20...a competent defence is a problem.

Islanders don’t want or need Zaitsev.

Pretty much...Lou screwed it with the contract he gave him, getting flak about it from everywhere...he will avoid him like plague.....

I dont mind to do it....from the last summer on :

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1250144

and pls, no Hainsey