A roster with only 21 players (instead of 23) and with a mere $302k in cap space for the season is brutal. That said, I think your RFA contracts are fair value and I love the Dylan DeMelo signing although I think he's going to get more than $4m as interest will be high.

We are almost definitely going to have to trade Andreas Johnsson to give us some cap flexibility... and I'm perfectly fine with that as he's replaceable on the 3rd line. If we move him out and can bring in Wayne Simmonds for $1.5m-$2.0m, I'll be thrilled.

That's where I'm at as well - I don't think Demelo hits the 4 million mark there is several RHD that are more proven who will get snapped up quickly and there really is only so many spots available and only so much money to go around if I'm Demelo getting a 3 year 10 million dollar deal is very signable especially considering he'll certainly get every opportunity to play top minutes with a very very good partner in Rielly

Well you were right about that. I'm so annoyed that Winnipeg signed him to pretty much the exact contract I was hoping the Leafs would offer: $3m AAV x 4 years. So where do you think we go from here? Who's the 1RD that we pair with Rielly? Pietrangelo would be amazing but is going to be far too expensive; I think Brodie and Tanev might be too expensive as well. Gudas is an option but he's not a top-pairing guy IMO. I'm leaning towards Travis Hamonic now.

Honestly I don't see how we can afford a true 1 RD, I think all we really need is a couple capable RD (Stetcher maybe) or Brodie or it's a Stetcher, Bowey etc committee

I do want Gudas , mostly for 3rd or 2nd pair , not a Hamonic fan (injury guy). There are still options in the trade market, I'm in love with stealing Weegar out of Florida with a heavy 4x4 OS if a AJ plus can't get a trade done

My list has Stecher at $2m AAV, Vatanen at $3m, Gudas at $3m and Hamonic at $4.5m. I too would prefer a 2nd or 3rd pairing guy instead of throwing big money at a 1RD, but if we don't acquire one via free agency, who plays with Rielly? I've heard rumours of Dermott going to the right side and the new stud from the KHL (Mikko Lehtonen) is a leftie that can play the right too. And he's eating big minutes in the KHL (22:23 TOI this year, over 20 last year) so maybe he's the guy.