Given cap constraints, Hyman,'s skill set is just far too limited and infinitely better served by x3 players @$750k...or $ spent on Leafs blueline roster (whether those you've proposed or others?). We know what Hyman can do. In '20-21' he will be 28 going on 29 and possesses zero growth potential. Give it up! Under limits resulting from salary payouts to others, Leafs can't afford Hyman's $2.25m sticker price. (You think he is worth +/- Moore, Timashov & Petan 'combined' ???)
Korshkov has more upside than many of the bench players that you've identified here. After <9 games in '19, and likely send down to Marlies for more TOI/seasoning, I could see him as a late season call up in '20..and likely full time roster player in '20-'21.
Sadly, imo, Liljgren has simply just not 'shown it' (which is not necessarily bad for a D)...but his aversion to hitting and to refraining from getting involved when his fellow teammates are roughed-up suggests that he should be given first pairing exposure on Marlies this year to assess whether he has sufficient merit for '20-'21 NHL call up.
Just saying.

I like this but I feel someone has to go for cap reasons in 2019 and dont feel that is Ceci, Barrie or Muzzin.

People don't like the idea of trading Hyman (I suggested Kapanen) in order to free up some cap space in future years.
What's not being taken into account is when Rielly and Andersen are set to be UFAs and even more money will be needed for at least one of them.

Hamonic specifically asked for a trade to leave the east coast and move to the west coast. Why would he sign in Toronto lol

They will have a chance at signing Brodie though.

So I actually had a trade of hyman for Mayfield and there was enough cap space left over that I cancelled it and signed demelo

@Random2152

Demelo or Mayfield?

Exactly. Hyman has more trade value now than he will have in 12-18mos time.

Yes...thought your logic for Hyman trade was 'inspired'. Ottawa w/ DJ and Isles w/Lou might also be targets for Dubas trade discussions(?). Hyman is known commodity to both as they're both familiar with his work ethic. Imo Leafs have a fully subscribed payroll for forwards and need to manage short/medium $$ available for blueline and for goaltending. They have eight players (including five D-men) poised to hit the UFA market next July.

Skill wise probably Mayfield by a small margin, but I wouldn't give up more than a mid pick and an AHL level guy for either.

And I wouldn't pay demelo that absurd contract either.

3.25 million is the going rate for a non ELC #4 defenseman. I haven't watched him all that much but his stats and minutes seem to comfortably make him a decent #4. What do you have against him? Im interested

As you know, your $3.25m is near to current Brandon Montour number. I'd prefer Montour.
That said, imo, Dubas' #1 priority should be to seek to extend Muzzin (who will undoubtedly be seeking term?) at a number as near as possible to his existing $4m.

Sure you can always find a bargain to compare too. But signing a UFA dman on the open market who can play 20+ minutes competently will count.

Muzzin scares me to resign because he's arguably been a borderline low end #1 and easily #2 defenseman so he'll want to be paid as such, BUT he'll be 31 when his new contract starts. He can decline fast. I'm very leery of commuting to him.

Agreed. There is certainly risk...but he'll be seeking term...so maybe he can be had for5 years @ $5m.

He isn't a number 4. His basic counting stats are inflated due to his situation as being chabots partner in Ottawa. Look under the hood to see the truth. He is a 3rd pairing defender. To pay a guy like that, that kind of money is absurd.

So his numbers don't look good in Ottawa, isn't that a consideration too? Just like Ceci, he may look better in other organizations?

Sorry, just a question in general.

Most advanced stats are adjusted to provide an even playing field. The usual chart I post like that is RAPM which literally means 'Regularised Adjusted Plus Minus'
And even so I don't hate Demelo as a 3rd pairing energy guy. In fact I think he is very good in that role with the right partner, but to give him a contract like in this AGM and to say he has any real trade value or top 4 potential is nuts.

Well looks like I have been over rating DeMelo.
Thanks for sharing.

Me too. For some reason I thought he played 21-22 minutes last year. His Fenwick and Corsi rel have been good the last few years. What does this stat you quote show?

As I said. Good 3rd pairing guy. Not top 4 though.
Also, Don't fall into the trap of toi indicating a good dman. It is absolutely false.

Thanks for the data. Do you have any idea what they are controlling for? His raw numbers are better. I'm not sure why the adjusted numbers are so much worse.

But anyway for some reason in my head I had him playing 21-22 minutes a night not 19.

Feel free to read their description on the websites. Does a better job than I could. Evolving hockey for the rapm to be specific but it goes way in depth with the technical side so good luck.