I understand they'd need to move a little cap to pull this off, but choosing Ritchie to do it complicates matters. You'd probably need to bump up that offer a little.

Full disclosure I haven't really watched the Flyers games this year. Is the current version of Brassard an upgrade over current version of Engvall? Why not just send Ritchie down and trade a pick(s) for Braun retained?

Before he got hurt, I would say that Brassard's play this season has been a lot better than Engvall's with the acception of the last 7 games where he's really shined with Spezza and Simmonds.

That said, Leafs are known to be in the market for some centre depth in case one of their top 2Cs get hurt during the playoffs as they don't want to lean on Kampf in a top 6 role and Kerfoot has proven better on the wing.

Getting Brassard would help solve that problem as well, as he could potentially play a 3C role, bumping Kampf down to play between Spezza and Simmonds.

I think it costs more to move out Ritchie's cap in this deal though as well.

Yeah.

Engvall has been really good all season. People just see points and think that's all that matters. The reality is, Engvall is near elite defensively. Without a doubt he's far more effective in the bottom 6 than Brassard.

That is without question false. Brassard is just a name at this point. He would be a decent 13th forward but he's not going to push anyone we have out of the lineup.

Haha what? Setting aside that this wasn't the question, allow me to introduce you to David Kampf.

Yeah he's been terrific for the Leafs as well. With Engvall and Kase, they formed a terrific shutdown line, with Mikheyev they continue to be a terrific shutdown line. And with Engvall on the 4th line, it transforms them into a top end 4th line. Brassard isn't an upgrade over anyone the Leafs have.

Going to take more to take Ritchie’s contract. Braun at 50% is about a 2nd and Brassard is worth about a 3rd so to tak Ritchie’s contract you probably have to add