Big splash for Meier for half a season. Leafs can't afford him next season without dismantling the team. Nice that you never even showed all the assets needed to obtain him.
Sorry, it's crazy cap and asset management obtaining Meier.

The late 2024 2nd, SDA, and Abruzzese isnt going to get you 50% retained, multiyear top 4 dman.

it's a go for it year.

according to Seravalli:

The price if he's acquired at $4M AAV is in the second-round pick range plus a B-level prospect.

The price if he's acquired at $2M AAV is in the first-round pick range.

obviously optimistic to think they'd accept the 2nd + 2 b-level prospects but a deal could be done

yeah and you have him here for 2M so its gonna be in the first round range. its not just about the salary we're retaining, but tying up a retention slot that we can't use for 2 years as well

No, more than than in previous years. Adding at the deadline really don't help teams much....it's usually just a waste of good young assets, who you need on cheap ELC contracts.

2nd + a prospect would be fine for McCabe at full price, but he'll cost a 1st + a prospect if the Blackhawks are retaining. That's 3 years without being able to use a retention spot at the TDL.

McCabe has actually been a good NHL defenseman this year - not just "good on Chicago" but GSVA has him in the top quartile of all NHL dmen. I can't see Chicago eating $2M on him for this year and two more after this for a 2nd and a pair of B-level prospects. They also wouldn't have an interest in pending UFAs like Holl - or at least, place much of any value on them. Besides, why are Leafs fans dead-set on giving away a guy who's been one of their best defensemen this year?