Rather than spending big & trading away offensive talent, the Leafs instead hold onto their assets & make small moves. Ceci & Barrie are replaced with Gudas & Lehtonen. Gudas provides a much needed physical presence. Lehtonen is the unknown. The top D-Man in the KHL can hopefully translate his game over to the NHL and become the QB for the 2nd PowerPlay unit.
The Leafs need to find out what they have in Travis Dermott. The 23yr old has been relatively sheltered & protected playing on the 3rd pairing. He is given the QO and top 4 minutes paired with either Reilly or Muzzin. He needs to prove his worth. If he faulters, then Gudas slides up to play with Reilly & Dermott goes back to 3rd pairing with Lehtonen & becomes a trade chip.
The Leafs hold onto Johnsson. Rather than trade him while his stock his low, they place him with Matthews & Nylander to hopefully push up his trade value after a season where he dealt with injuries.
Mikheyev is signed to a multi-year deal and placed with Robertson & Kerfoot.
Kerfoot is kept, much like with Johnsson to hopefully bring up his trade value after a down season.
Wayne Simmonds is brought in on a 1yr show me contract.
Freddie Anderson is kept. No point in selling low on an elite goalie who had a down season. However, his minutes are reduced in order for the Leafs to see what Jack Campbell has. You hope Campbell shows he can handle the work load & Freddie has a bounce back season. If that happens then you sell higher on Freddie at the deadline, or move other pieces & sign him to an extension
Okay I wouldn't say he's elite either but he is definitely above average. He's good. Especially when you realize he's been playing behind that dog sh*t collection of a D core (besides Rielly and Muzzin) for 4 years. Plus Freddys value is already high considering he's only going to be paid in salary of 1 mill after bonus. If he "bounces back" then the return should be very high.
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