Agreed with the description, but not sure Stamkos wants to leave TBL and the brotherhood he helped create.

I'd only see this as TBL not signing Stamkos/Trading Stamkos w extension to TO for Nylander with extension, not the other way around

Maybe if Tampa misses the playoffs this year? (Which is unlikely but definitely not impossible)

Stamkos or DeBrusk are both going to cost 6M+.

I'm surprised that you're sold on Domi and Bertuzzi being able to replace Nylander before they even played a game for the Leafs. Neither has any consistency in production in recent years which is especially concerning in the case of Bertuzzi since he can't stay healthy.

It's more of a playoff thing... Both Bert and Domi are beasts in the playoffs... Also, I reserved an extra 2 mill in case I was underpaying someone to ensure it would work

In the playoffs, both guys only have one good/great season mostly because they didn't have the opportunity to be on a playoff team but the injury concern still remains. So, those two points still stand.

Also, have you seen Nylander in the playoffs? If you're looking for a guy that is going to get involved in after-whistle stuff, could get cheaper options or can still keep Domi, but have Nylander (if he signs in the 9s)+ a 3M player instead of Bertuzzi + "DeBrusk". Knies is also a guy that looks to play with a physical edge, so it's just a matter of him developing.

Another thing to consider is that Matthews might not be around beyond his extension, so they may lack star power in a division that has a lot of young talent.

If Nylander can't be re-signed and is lost as an own rental, they definitely should just hand out a one year deal to someone who can play in the top 6, and save that cap for when a 1/2C or top pairing D becomes available or another top line winger.

Fair points TBH... I'd just rather have 2 guys who have that grit, even if they each play half the season and trade Nylander to bolster the draft and young guys bc of your 3rd point

Slim chance that they actually end up with a star player from a Nylander trade even if he's dealt purely for futures. Even if they do, that player likely becomes an impact player when their window is closing/closes if they don't manage to retain Matthews beyond 30. The fact that they already have a guy like Knies that could turn into a Bertuzzi type player makes it ledd important to keep him around beyond this year if he's commanding a huge deal like that. I think Domi is going to want to stay and will be affordable along with having the ability to slot into a top 6 slot.

Other than developing a 2C (already two candidates in Cowan and Minten), the Leafs need a top pairing defender and that's something they could maybe get lucky drafting late with their own 1st and 2nd round picks but they won't have their 1sts if they sre needing to rent top 6 offensive talent.

I also just want to know how it feels like to be the Boston Bruins this year and beyond bc they tend to do well in the playoffs

How about knowing how it feels to be like the Avalanche? This is the year!

The Bruins have definitely been very successful in the past decade but even then they weren't able to win since 2011 which just shows you how difficult it is in the Atlantic. Even Tampa technically didn't win the Cup twice going through the Atlantic even though they did have that Finals berth after their win via the Atlantic.

I know... But I'd rather have 1 cup win and 2 cup finals appearances over 1 cup and a bunch of second round and 1rst round exits (Sound familiar?)

All in all, I think this is the year... I hope this is the year... This year will be their best chance at winning a cup for the next 2 years but I will say, it would be fun to see Bennett and Tkachuk square off agaisnt Reaves and Bertuzzi

Colorado since winning has a first round exit but they are very much set up for more success in terms of roster makeup for now at least. Boston's success since Pastrnak joined/broke out has been limited to a Finals appearance, and 1st and 2nd round exits. So, if you compare Avs in the MacKinnon era vs Bruins in rhe "Pastrnak era", the Avs have been more successful. That's just why I said the AVS over Bruins.

Makes sense... But the core I was referring to was the Bergeron-Marchand-Chara core