Hmmm

IMO I don't mind this trade, and I think value wise its pretty fair, however as much as I am a fan of Kucherov, is he the missing piece TOR is looking for? Are the Leafs getting better? Basically they're swapping JVR for Kucherov, taking on a bad contract and giving up a second to make this upgrade. I feel like TOR is further along developing a future Kucherov (Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Rychel Johansson) than something that JVR brings which is a net presence, some physicality and what I think of as more of a two-way player. Now in all honesty, JVR hasn't played for some time so my memory of him isn't the greatest, I just don't know if its beneficial to make this move.

JVR definitely isn't a two-war player, and hopefully with the way Toronto just drafted they are developping bigger bodied players to replace him (Korshkov, Grundstrom, Rychel trade). The leafs offense was laughable last season and it will get better this season with Matthews, Nylander and hopefully Marner but Kucherov is younger and better than JVR and the more offense the better at this point in the rebuild.

Kucherov will cost more.....

why would the islanders ever give up a 2nd rd pick for Bozak who's a salary dump? a 4th at best.

Because he had 35 points in 57 games last season which is equal to 50 points over 82 which is a direct comparable to Frans Nielsen who they just lost.

Careful with points. Nielsen is much more than just points.

Bozak for a 2nd is decent value though.