Quoting: yikes
Well we all know Toronto is in a tough spot, cap is probably really at 83-85.5 as highest limits. 88 just get us talking (and it’s done it’s job). Tampa and Toronto are going to have to make trades so it’ll be interesting offseason to see
For sure.
I'm curious to see what the Leafs do...everyone around here usually gets dumped on when they move either of Marner or Nylander, and rightfully so with the majority of the deals that are proposed, but I'm just not sure how they manage to fill that RD hole without going big.
My opinion is that they should avoid trying to swing for a home run with the guys that are going to be overpriced, but are popular names around here among Leaf fans (Ekblad, Pesce, Dumba, Pietrangelo, Manson, etc.), and go for a reliable, second tier guy that offers some salary flexibility. Cernak has been popular here, but I really don't think Tampa moves him, especially given the fact that he's going to be one of the few guys that they can resign for a reasonable price.
-Nick Jensen from the Caps might be an under the radar guy...cost certainty and reliable in his own end (Though there's zero offensive upside, but the Leafs don't really need that in the first place, right?).
-Hamonic on a 2 year, $4 mil deal might not be a bad pickup if he's 100% healthy.
-Maybe Justin Braun? Not super flashy, but extremely consistent, and you wouldn't have to break the bank to make it happen.
Even looking at it though, maybe it's not going to be the biggest issue. Leafs have:
Rielly, Muzzin, Holl, Sandin, Dermott (?), Liljegren, and then Rosen (ugh) as depth. It's not as bad as Leafs threads make it out to be. Maybe all you really need is as solid, veteran UFA depth option as a 6th/7th dman (Would depend on how Liljegren looks in the fall, or if the Leafs want him to play some more big minutes in the minors).