Carolina laugh hard. They counter with McKeown, Foegele and 2 2nds for Nylander, because that's roughly what you're giving.

Risto was the Green Jacket Winner a couple of seasons ago for being the worst defenseman in the league. He's another offensive minded guy that can't defend. Sure he can hit, and hits hard, and might spark the Leafs into sticking up for one another, but to lose your Starter, a solid 3C and a #4-5 defenseman to get Risto and a backup goalie isn't something that I'd personally sign up for..

Also for the Canes deal, it doesn't matter what you throw in. Everyone on the site wants Nylander+ for Pesce

I personally disagree...and that's fine, to each their own.

If the offer changes from the two 2nds to the 15th OA like the description suggests...you're looking at a top 6 young winger, top prospect and solid 1st rounder which it a very respectable haul for a very good defensive d-man.

If Andersen had more term than I think it would be a great idea on a sabres perspective. But they probably can’t take that risk because they have Dahlin to pay next offseason. And I doubt UPL will be ready for the NHL in the 2021-2022 season I’m hoping he develops quickly like Carter Hart.

Completely fair comments all around. It seems like kyle is shopping all three of Freddy, Kerfoot and Dermott. I love Freddy but they must know his # to re-sign is more than they can afford and it's a buyer's market on goaltending this offseason. My guess is Kyle doesn't want to have anyone over $3m on the bottom 6 given how much is spent on the top 6....and Dermott I also like...but with Muzz locked in and Sandin looking capable of taking on 3rd pairing minutes, he's expendable vs trying to jam in on the right side.

I'd personally rather see them land a top 4 RHD man versus a handful of 2nd-4th round picks. Risto definitely has his warts but that's what also makes him potentially available....and I'm thinking having guys like him and Perry give us the serviceable a-holes we could use in the playoffs.

Just my 2 cents. Certainly not the best d-man they can target, but a fit could be there.

Thanks for the feedback. And the 1yr remaining on Freddy is certainly valid. I wouldn't enjoy having to face him as an opposing goalie. Never know what's going to come out of Buffalo given the politics there...but it seemed like an (uncomforable) fit as trading partners

Carolina don't need more D prospects. Johnsson is not a top 6 winger. Lilly isn't even a top prospect anymore. The 1st rounder is a nice piece, but still an easy no for one of the best defensive D men in hockey making 4 mil for 4 years with a flat cap. Absolutely not.

The issue is more that the canes aren’t going to move pesce and not make the team better. This move doesn’t make the canes a better team right now. For pesce to be moved the return would have to be a top 6 forward that is of equal value to pesce. This is something the leafs probably wouldn’t do and certainly isn’t provide in this deal. While u can argue that 15, liljgren, and Johnsson is probably pretty fair in value it just is not a move that makes sense for the canes to make

As a fellow leafs fan, i would argue that Liljegren isn't really a top prospect anymore. Probably an NHLer pretty soon, but i doubt he'll ever crack a top pair

Let's start with a compliment, I like discussions with you as you always listen and give good feed back.

What I like about the trade:
Dermott, fills the need for a LHD, this is good
Kerfoot, fills the need for a 3rd line center, this is good
Andersen, fills the need of a top GK, this is good

What I do not like:
I am really high on Ristolainen. He demonstrated that he could play better defense in the future with his performance last year.
I am also high on Ullmark. He gets better every year.
Dermott, played sheltered minutes last year against soft competition and mostly OZ starts
Kerfoot, will he return to his Colorado output or continue his Toronto production
Andersen, only one year remaining on his contract. Linus actually out performed him last year.

If Buffalo was to make only one more trade this may be the one.
I am not completely sold, but it is close and it helps Buffalo.
In closing I would not be surprised nor upset if this trade was made.

Thanks @gretzkyghost . Love the feedback and insight you provide. Definitely risks on both sides of the deal and I can already see Risto being the new whipping boy for Leaf fans to harp on...but value seemed close. I know he runs hot and cold with the Buffalo fan base similar to Freddy and the leafs come playoff time.

For me, I like tossing different ideas out there and finding a reasonable member of the opposing fan base to gauge if there's a potential fit. If Buffalo rolls with Miller and Montour in the top two spots I could see them using Risto to help fill other holes