I honestly don't think Pesce is a huge fit in Toronto. I know Canes fans love him, but the fact that he's signed long-term for low is his best quality. His defensive results away from Slavin are below average, and that's not what Toronto needs. I don't think the Leafs are interested in moving Nylander but I hope if they do they get somebody who fits their need a bit better than Pesce.

Pesce for Nylander died over 2 years ago

I think pesces numbers are more a product of the situations he is placed and the partners he plays with. He always starts his shifts in the d zone and playing with Gardiner hurt his numbers this year defensively no doubt. I honestly think he is exactly what the leafs need. He is great defensively and I think he has more offense if he is given the opportunity

Ya sorry canes fans but that trade screams Hall for Larsson 2.0. Your not getting an Elite scoring winger who had a breakout year for a decent defensive defenceman who had an average year.

I don’t think it will ever die until 1 team trades one of them

I disagree with this but I understand the optics. The deal I gave was one I saw purposed by a leafs fan earlier. I’m not even sure it makes sense for the canes I was just looking at what the canes would look like

Eh some leafs fans are dumb what are you gonna do?

Stats say he started in the Dzone 50.8% of the time and Ozone 49.2%. So that's pretty close to even.

Although on-ice results can vary by partner, hockeyviz has Pesce's results last year being worse than Gardner's. If Gardner was dragging Pesce down you would assume the opposite would be the case.

And you kind of proved my point. If playing with an offensive guy tanked Pesce's production and results, why would we acquire him to play with Morgan Rielly?

I think there is a big difference in playing with Gardiner and with Rielly. Say what u want about metrics, but Gardiner was awful defensively all year. If you want to pick and choose metrics, go look at what side of the ice most of the shots were from when pesce was on the ice. You will find most were from the left, the side that Gardiner was on

Honestly not sure if Canes are better with Nylander but without Pesce. Maybe, but not sure it's worth the risk. It could work with the right UFA pick up, but Vatanen is not the answer unless he's playing a 3rd line role. The combination of Skjei, Vatanen, Fleury, and Gardiner is not a good mix for bottom 4 blueline. Canes already gave up some of the worst rates of high danger shots in the NHL last season. This blueline would be even lighter on D, especially without a player like Pesce, who makes anyone with him better.

I would do the Kuemper trade. It would be really hard for Canes to let go of that #1 pick, but if they want to win a cup within the next 4 years, this is the right move.

Agree on all of that 100%. I’m not really sure I’m in favor of the pesce Nylander trade either I jsut wanted to see what it would look like. I don’t think vatanen is the answer either but he is a guy the organization is familiar with. I disagree with ur assessment that he is only a third pairing guy, but I think the canes would be better served with a more defensive guy

yeah, that makes sense. It's not a knock on Nylander, he would be a great addition to top 6.