Heck yeah.. mid-1st round pick? you can circle sold on that one my friend!

This is a bad investment, that package can fetch a better 2C.

I don’t have a problem with Backs - I have a problem with our bottom 6. If no CBO this gets us a fast defensively sound RHS who I believe could bloom like Lindholm did as well as a strong 3C cause Ryan is done after this year. Definitely don’t like giving up the pick but our window is now not 3 years from no when that 15-17 oa pick starts playing.

Just my humble opinion.

Although when Sammy actually likes a TO trade it probably means we r getting fleeced

sure we accept. Can either use the first to draft someone, or flip the pick for a RHD.

You probably could land a 2C with that package.

Flipside is Kerfoot is what he is, but Kappy becomes a little piece of Nasty on the 2nd line. Everyone seems to have him pigeon holes as a 3rd liner. He is buried in Toronto. 100% a top 6 player you caould play in all situations.

It's a good deal for Calgary. And yeah, it is a good deal for the Leafs as long as there is a plan to fill Kerfoot's spot with someone other than Spezza.

The problem with that is Kapanen has had a lot of time on the top 2 lines in the past 2 seasons due to injuries, he was one of Matthews most played with wingers along with Marleau last season, and hes never grown into that top 6 player. Despite all the opportunities and ice time he never saw a large increase in points. Could he grow into that player still? Sure, but its not the opportunity to hes been lacking for in Toronto.

I like it as a leafs fan although flames would need to either retain some of Bennett’s salary or swap Bennett for Dubé

The value of this trade might make sense for the Leafs, but I don't see how this move practically makes sense for them considering they are trying to win now. This trade makes the team worse in the short term. Bennett shouldn't be the #3 C so we would need to make a subsequent move to acquire another player. Its a no for me.

Also Kapanen did well when he was on the RW with Matthews... He struggled on his off wing. So I still do think he could be a top 6 guy if he was a RW not LW

What injuries? The only one of note that may have impacted Kappy is Hyman - and that became a mix of Johnsson and Soup. Kappy has not really seen significant time in the top 6 at all - more shirt stints where a chemistry was never achieved . And to count his rookie campaign with Nylander out durong the contract dispute is selling his overall game short.

His rookie campaign would have been 2017-18 not last season when Nylander was out during his contract dispute and Kapanen's most common linemate was Matthews. The reality of his overall game is that it hasn't changed much regardless of when hes been on the top 2 lines or bottom 2 lines.

Well, a whopping 38 games, up and down fron the Marlies before he stuck. Technically correct.

Point being here that for the better part of 120 games, he's been buried on a 3rd line.

Further, how is his game supposed to change? He plays 200 feet. Can create chances, forechecks well, plays PK and PP. I wouldn't want it to. But buried on the 3rd line behind Marner and Nylander, playing 16 minutes a game, and ending up with a prorated season of roughly 42 points doesn't mean his game isn't growing. His special teams play is evidence it is.

Something tells me he is running roughly 60 points if he playing the roughly 20 minutes a game a top 2 line gets. Never mind better linemate than Kerfoot and Johnsson. That extra 4 minutes matters over an 82 game season. Suddenly he is a top 6 player.

Except it simply isnt true. His most common line last season was the Marleau - Matthews line I previously mentioned. His most common linemates this season for the first half of the season were the top 2 lines (by quarter, first quarter was Matthews and Marner, second quarter was Tavares and Nylander). While he has been bounced around, hes only really been buried on the 3rd line for the last half of this season. He has had lots of opportunities.

Most agree Kapanen doesn't do well playing is off wing, which when playing the top 6 this year he did. Puts him at a disadvantage. The year prior, he wasn't ready for top 6 minutes imo.

His ability and where he can fit into a line up given how much he has been thrown around that lineup in short has made the growth in his game a little more difficult.

Many made a similar call about Connor Brown. Had some heated debates about how I thiught he could be a legit 20 goal scorer given a real opportunity. He got that in Ottawa.

Given the Leafs depth, Kappy is 100% a 3rd liner.
With a number of organization he is a legit top 6. He will never carry his own line, but under the right circumstances, he will produce. Think your assestment is very premature frankly.

Im not sure how you can call it premature when I even said in my original post that he could still grow into that player. You said has been buried in Toronto and is 100% a top 6 player and the simple facts of it are that he hasn't been buried, got lots of opportunity and that he hasnt done anything to show he is that player yet. You are attributing more to him than he has shown being capable of so far and acting like its a certainty he will reach it. The word to describe your evaluations of him is just that, premature.

I said he is 100% a top 6 player in a number of organizations.

I think were we differ in opinion is in the quality of the opportunities he has had in Toronto's top 6. You think he has had quality chances, I think they were cups of coffee. Just moved around too much.

You seem very resolute in saying he won't be a top 6 player. Maybe he won't 🤷‍♂️. You can say he maybe still a top 6 guy, but your argument suggests you don't see that. Maybe I am misreading that. He won't be in Toronto, that's for sure. Sooner deal him than play him on the off wing - he simply doesn't look good there at all.

I certainly see your point - and I believe it's one which many Leafs fan struggle with when assessing Kapanen. The camp is 50-50 on either side of the argument. I just see a player whose game is rounding into form who definitely has a higher ceiling.... and one that is under rated by many.