No doubt that's a better team if anything definitely more balanced.

Sadly my point! Also, with Muzzin & Ceci no longer affordable under this makeup in 20-21, it would leave $ to resign Pietrangelo, Dermott, Miki, others (?)in 20-21...

The things you can do with money well spent.

I like the Marner deal but not sure if the Blues can afford him

Wild would decline that trade.

... could be sweetened?

My point exactly! It also highlights need for Leafs to confront shortcomings of how team is currently designed/its overall lack of 'competitive resolve'?

There is always a way. ;-)

Ya, like with Marner. Nylander doesn’t get you 20% of the way there

Attitude gets you nowhere in life.

No Blues couldn’t and I definitely wouldn’t want it. 10M for second line winger on the Blues. I would much rather keep
Pietrangelo at that rate.

With recent announcement of Roman Josi’s eight-year deal in Nashville, $10m will likely be close to Pietrangelo rate. Given strength in Blues D, adding a AAA 22yr old is not a bad bet...

Let's not get crazy here, Marner is an elite player. If Petro was moved and Marner came back, we'd all dance in the street. He's a player you build around. Move Bozak and Allen and you're there.

He would be behind Tarasenko which would mean 2nd Line anyway you slice it.

I wouldn't trade an elite 22-year old center for a 34-year old aging sniper 1 for 1. There would need to be more coming back from Washington, but even then I don't think its worth it.

You guys are all insane...its the CAPS that decline that trade. Matthews has no where near as high a ceiling as Ovi has reached in DC, and he doesn't have the maturity to be a Captain. Matthews flames out in 4-5 years as an above-average and overpaid players. Much like a LOT of the way over paid guys will be getting these stupid deals after their ELC expires...the league is headed towards another salary reset, and players like Ovi are generational...Matthews is NOT a generational talent.

Caps say NO. Would rather have 4-5 more years of 3rd line Ovi at $10M than Matthews at his salary.

What Leafs so far lack, and what Ovi /Caps have had, is a confluence in both the individual and also the collective 'gnawing need' to win. A collection of supremely skilled players doesn't necessarily mean a team will win. (Ask the Yankees!) Ovi, and the team that I've proposed, better exemplify ingredients for 'gnawing need'. Just my opinion.

But quantifying him as a 2nd line player doesn't do him justice.