Leafs won't retain salary more than likely, but even at that it's a bad trade for the Leafs. Leafs have centres they would prefer to play at the 3/4 spot in Bozak and Gauthier than having to give an asset to get Kruger.
Pokka (if he does really exist, zero games in the NHL),
the Leafs have 3 younger Dmen in the AHL who they are high on, though just Nielsen plays on the RD as a LHD.
Campbell doesn't need the money but is he really going play for just 1m? Dallas doesn't match that Olesiak contract? Having DeBrincat as a NHL regular next season is more than hopeful.

I don't really follow the Leafs, so you are probably right about the centers, but there is no denying that they need to get rid of JVR to make it a full rebuild. As a leafs fan, if you were to give up JVR to the Hawks, who would you personally choose?

Chicago's dynasty is over...too many guys getting older on super long term expensive deals. Was a great run though.

You're incorrect, (as are so many others). A team does not have to get rid of players to go into full rebuild. Veteran players (such as JVR, Komarov, Bozak) aren't UFAs till 2018. They serve a purpose in helping the current team and young players. The Leafs have 6 rookie forwards in the lineup. 29 teams at the beginning of the season don't decide they aren't to winning the Cup, time to get rid of all the veterans. But if your theory is right about purging veterans, why would the Leafs need Kruger?

Who would the Leafs want in return for JVR? Immediate or near immediate NHL help and I would at RHD. And really I don't see the Hawks have the player(s) to be traded As a write this (see my earlier post today), the Leafs are in 3rd place and into playoffs in the Atlantic percentage wise. Jeez, maybe the Leafs will be buyers. No, I'm not saying the Leafs playoff bound this year, but you have to give your team purpose. And constantly trading for the future is really not team building or building properly for future. My opinion about JVR, Bozak, Komarov....they will not be Leafs in summer of 2018. But they still might be Leafs in the spring 2018 if they are value to the team.

A couple comments.

1. Better to assume Panarin hits bonuses along with Campbell's looking at about 3.5M so can't do this under the cap

2. Could probably get Kempny and for sure Kero and Pokka at closer to league minimum 650K.

3. Doubt Debrincat or Fortin make the team, but very doubtful both make it

4. If trading Kruger, need a replacement and Rasumussen is the likely guy on the team at less than 1M makes sense to resign

5. I like Panic at around 1M also and would sign him too

6. Think you could get Campbell at 1M again with bonuses, but rather move on and let Kempny play if resigning him and have Svedberg/Gustafson as 7D

Have to agree with Palhal about JVR. I'm now thinking that they should keep him or ask for a ridiculous price that no one will pay. Having leadership on a team is extremely valuable. The Coyotes don't have a lot of veterans. Sure Doan, but even their other vets are relatively new to AZ like Vrbata. Having consistent veteran leadership helps your players develop into Professionals and we can see that AZ isn't really doing this well at all. They have just as high of draft picks as Toronto. Getting a winning mentality is huge. Look at our own Chicago Blackhawks. Kane and Toews didn't start out dominating the league. They were very good players much like Matthews and Marner. Veteran Leadership was there to help them develop.

I wouldn't sign Darcy though. If Crawford is the guy you stick with (which I would too) then if you can't keep Darling for that amount...start developing the new Darling @ the league minimum.

Oh and yeah, you don't have ANY bonuses accounted for here. That'll be at least $3M.