As a Detroit fan i'm very conflicted value wise and looking at it as a long term option.
However as divisional rivals I don't think this trade would happen. that still seems to be a consideration. LA or Colorado might be better options as they have a good amount of cap space and are out west.

This would be a good start if you could get the Wings to go for it . Getting a second round pick for Johnsson is a stretch at best

i think he could get it. the way the leafs structured his contract he's only due about $2.5m for each of the next 3 season. i'm sure some cash strapped team will see the value in a 35-45 pt player for that.

The DET trade is super interesting. If it's done before the draft (which I suspect it would be), it would open DET's options on who to draft (putting RHD Drysdale on the table). TOR would be getting a #2 RHD, a power winger that can score goals (Marner is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer), and cap space (getting 2 players for the cost of 1 player). DET would be getting younger at RW, and get a LHD (which the system needs), and a lower 1st round pick for taking on extra cap space (TOR isn't getting cap space for free).

Mantha will get more than 5.5mm/year though. Add an extra $1mm/year to that contract.

Now, the rival situation does play into this, but this kind of trade could make sense for both teams.

I like any version that gets a player of Mantha size and ability the Leafs badly need this