3 years of 2M retention is going to cost a lot more than a 7th round pick lol.

The Ducks aren’t retaining for $ 3 years to get a late second and a pending UFA mid six forward 😂

The Ducks probably use all 3 of their retention slots on their own rentals this year anyways

It's a 2nd going to Anaheim.

It's a total of roughly $6.5 million (incl Kerfoot) over three seasons. My thinking is that we can flip Kerfoot for another high pick, which would make it worth it to me. I could be nuts.

This seems like a poor use of assets for the Leafs. LD is about the last thing on the roster that needs addressing right now. Paying a premium price to fix a non-existent problem when there are legitimate areas that need upgrading is a strange choice. I'm also not overly high on Provorov.

Thanks for the input. My thinking was that with Reilly out long-term, LhD IS something that needs to be bolstered right now, and this helps going forward, too.

Provorov is a pretty big gamble.

I really can't see the Leafs wanting a LHD. Reilly, Sandin and Gio are solid. Benn is returning. Mete (now injured) has played LD. Even Brodie who always plays the right side, played the left side the other night Holl. Timmins and Lilgegren manned the right.

A fair trade, but Leafs really don't a LHD, but smoother team might. And surprisingly the Leafs really don't need a RHD either.

Now with Robertson injured, gotta think the Leafs need Kerfoot at LW, and Kerfoot is also an emergency centre.
Benn is expected back soon, and even Reilly in about a month.

Thanks as always for the input!

Too risky for a GM if it's not a 3-way trade. In this case it would need to be a 4-way trade which is probably not going to happen.

This trade is meant to be done now (the sooner the better), due to Reilly's injury. That gives Verbeek time to pass Kerfoot on. But as I said earlier, I could be nuts.

Misread the description, still think it's underwhelming. 3 years of retention is not cheap at all

I guess, but there's Kerfoot's M-NTC that Verbeek would need to manoeuvre around. If Anaheim is on it though, they probably get a trade lined up right away, so I guess it is possible if someone wants him now with retention. They would be down to 1 slot for either Klingberg, Shattenkirk and whoever else they may have.

Gio and Sandin (along with the rest of the D-core) have both stepped up in a huge way in Rielly's absence and the Leafs team defense and structure really mitigates concern - they're 6-0-1 since his injury. If anything, a depth add would be more appropriate with the piling injuries to left side options (Benn, Kral, Mete all out right now), but now that Brodie's back it's less pressing. As for going forward, our entire left side is locked up for next season and after that Sandin needs a new deal and should be handling top 4 minutes on a nightly basis. Just don't see the fit here.

I’m just firmly against the “we can flip him” type deals, that’s the Leafs job not ours. If they go get a high pick for Kerfoot and give it to us for the retention I’m on board.

We assume way too much risk if we need to flip him.

And retaining for 3 years with all the contracts we have due isn’t ideal either

I’d need at least a 1st over Kerfoot to do this regardless of the total $ amount, putting dead money on your books for 3 years for anything less just doesn’t feel worth it

Not to mention it would only give us 2 retention slots for the next three years, when we could realistically use all of them on our own players over those 3 years

Thanks, pal!!

Seems like the best thing that could have happened to the Leafs.....so many Dman injuries. Others have really stepped up. I'll admit I didn't think Timmins would be NHL ready after missing so much time in the past few years but he is been NHL competent. I know so many on CF think so many Leaf Dmen aren't NHL good....but Leafs seem to have about nine players that NHL competent.
As you suggested, Leafs may not need additional help on defence. Now a top scoring forward would be nice, but I guess just about all playoff teams would want the same thing.

Hope I don’t sound rude or anything 😂 it’s been a long sleepless night and morning with a teething baby

You'll never sound rude to me . . . you can even use harsh words and I'll know you're just teasing . . . isn't the first birthday coming up this month?

Yeah it just passed actually crazy feeling having a one year old haha, I’ll take the sleepless nights when they come it’s all worth it

I do have a newfound resentment towards the wiggles now though 😂

I think you are nuts on this one :-)

The only possible way flipping Kerfoot nets any value is if he's retained. The money part of that is a non-issue but now they've filled 2 of 3 retention lots. You essentially add value to Kerfoot by subtracting that value from Shattenkirk.

For this to make any sense it needs to be a 2nd pick and a real tangible asset that the Ducks want.

Yeah, three years retention is going to cost an arm and a leg. We would probably rather torpedo the deal and bid on Provorov ourselves to be honest.

As others have said, I don't like the "You can flip kerfoot for something valuable" line. He is still playing terribly, the only way we get positive value is with retention, and then we are left with one spot, and we already have 3-4 guys internally we may be looking to use those spots on this season, and a couple next season.

This cripples our ability to wheel and deal for three seasons, and were getting a 2nd and whatever we might be able to claw back for Kerfoot. Not worth the price of admission.

Well, I put things out there for people to give me insight on, and my friends in the Anaheim and Toronto corners have answered both my questions: about the retention for the Ducks, and the player for the Maple Leafs. I can see and am happy to admit I misjudged both elements. Thanks to you and everyone else!

Alright Leaf fans don’t kill me here, just an honest question: Is Niemela untouchable?

Like, I’d do this deal. Two firsts for Provorov, one in ‘23, is a deal I’d take with Philly’s LHD depth. Even if they’ll be late picks. Engvall’s contract is up at the end of the season (I think) so whatever. It’s the prospects I’d tweak a bit. What does Philly have to throw in to get Niemela? Like which prospect of Philly’s is of equal value that could be added?

Toronto ironically has no need for Damn anymore

Sandin and Liligren have stepped up

GIO feels like he's 28 and not 40

Hills been fine and Brodie and the call-ups have been good

What Toronto should target are 2 wings known for scoring who can play bottom 6