Asking a question because I don't know the answer. Is that Arb buyout still open? The arbitration got to Kurashev's contract so in theory the reason the buyout window even opens again is in case the Hawls want/need to buyout this new contract that the arbitrator ruled on?

Bear won't be back for a few months I thought. If you go this route...you probably still don't buyout Zaitsev because you'll want a #3 RD to start the season. It'll also ensure no Zaitsev cap hit next year. Just bench Zaitsev later in the year.

Yeah. The buyout window is short. Bear won't be back until December at the earliest, but probably more like January/February. We would still need someone to hold down that RD3 position. I'm still a fan of signing Bear, though. I'd do that, and also sign Foote. Let Foote do his thing for a while and then make a decision about what to do when the time comes. Maybe Foote does well and theres trade interest interested in him, Murphy, or, however unlikely, even Jones. Send one out get some assets and then slot Bear in a top 4 role and see what happens.

Leafs don't consider. You want him, pay up

I think I’ll wait till he is on waivers since the leafs cap situation is so bad.

He won't be. Leafs can still keep him. He was also effective in the playoffs

Buyout window is open either tomorrow or Wednesday depending on when they got the arbitration result. Personally I don’t see any reason why Zaitsev needs to be a hawk this season even if he is theoretically an athlete than can play hockey professionally. The cap hit next season is not an issue for us and I would rather sign another free agent (in addition to bear) or keep rotate that extra spot for the young D prospects. I see it very likely the hawks keep Korchinsky in the NHL beyond the 9 game slide threshold and assign him near WJC to prevent the UFA year being accrued. If Bear is back by then it’s perfect, if he needs some more time than Tinordi or a prospect can hold down that spot.

First half D Core: Vlasic-Jones Korchinsky-Murphy Philips-Tinordi (Nolan Allan, EDM, even Crevier {he’s 22 years old might wanna see what we have} can rotate in as needed.

Second half Vlasic-Jones Philips-Murphy Tinordi/Prospect/Bear round out the third pair.

We could also claim someone off waivers like we did with Tinordi or sign a defenseman to a 2 way contract in training camp.



I like the Foote idea. I wonder if he would do a 2 way contract after a PTO

Exactly. Zaitsev doesn't really provide any value. IDK, maybe he's a good locker room guy, but I can't imagine he is a great guy to be around right now considering the state of his career. Just buy him out and give someone like Foote a shot. He fits the bill of what Kyle Davidson seems to favor on the back end and he is effective. I don't think he would take a 2-way deal, though. If we were to sign both Bear and Foote, we would either have to trade someone, put Foote on waivers and risk losing him, or healthy scratch someone, when Bear is ready to play.

Wasn't Foote on the Canadien Junior team, on which a "report" is imminently due regarding the scandal? I saw someone mention that that was why Foote was still out there; teams wanna see what is says before committing to him.

I understand both Raddysh and Katchouk were on that team, too. Holding my breath...

How far over the cap are the Leafs ?? They will be forced to dump contracts . Laferty is almost at league minimum . It doesn't really make sense dumping him anyways .He can be buried in the minors at worst . BUT just to be clear he would NOT pass through waivers he will be claimed by a team .