Équipe: 2021-22 Maple Leafs de Toronto

Date de création initiale: 1 août 2021

Publié: 2 août 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Do I like this team better?
No.

But do I think we'll be able to resign Reilly or Mikheyev next year?
Again, no.

Do I think not having Robertson and Liljgren on the team at the start of the season is a good idea?
Still no.

Did I at least get fair value for Reilly?
Possibly? It is only 1 year of Reilly. I guess you could add a conditional 2023 pick if Reilly re-signs with the Devils.

Either way I'm tired of watching the Leafs lose good players for nothing with non-stop disappointment year after year.

Reilly is a UFA at the end of the year. My guess is his next AAV will be around 8 million. The Leafs can't do that unless they move someone big. They seem ever unwilling to do that. So I tried to do something fair. The Leafs don't get a lot, but they get cap space, a decent prospect, and recuperate some draft capital. And NJ gets a pretty good pairing for Hamilton without mortgaging much of their future.

Leafs aren't winning the cup next year, and Reilly doesn't change that. But maybe they go on a little run and finally have a bit of playoff success. While Reilly undoubtedly makes that easier, it's not impossible without him. Plus, 3.5 mil in cap space and some extra draft picks could help land a pretty decent rental at the deadline.

Also, Robertson and Liljgren are waiver exempt. Brooks, Mennell, Engvall and Anderson are not. Honestly, I would be fine losing any of them, but my hope is Robertson and Liljgren force the Leafs to make a decision to part with some of them. Maybe there's a mid-season trade to be made, maybe not, but just in case it keeps a little extra depth.

Leafs won't do this and I don't blame them. Reilly is a popular player (for reference he's my favourite player), and fans would not love a trade that makes the team worse. But it's this or trade Marner next year (which I'm also fine with), except Sandin looks set to be a Reilly replacement. There isn't a Marner replacement.

Also, don't think there's a taxi squad this year, but using it to show some of the depth the Leafs would have assuming everyone clears waivers.

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