just never happens

Why would Draisaitl take that? You're asking him to take a pay cut but not Marner?

Ya no lmao

3 mil raise is not a pay cut. Further, there is 2 mil in wiggle room under the cap if there needs to be a little more added.

Based on his stats and age, Draisaitl probably wants 13MM per. More than Marner, less than Matthews.

Also, I know Tavares is a Tor guy, but he is still a PPG player, why would he sign that deal? He could probably get double that on the open market.

So giving Tavares 2MM more per and Draisaitl 1.5MM more, you're over by 1.3MM with 6 rookie contacts.

Also, why is Knies taking that contract? If he is playing top line minutes with Matthews, he is going to be a multiple year 20 goal scorer. He would want at least 3MM per with the cap going up so much.

To me, all of your UFAs (minus Marner) are underpaid.

Also, the Pens likely won't trade a 1st for Robertson who has failed to establish himself and in 1.5 years will either be a dependable middle 6 guy (who Tor would keep) or be non-tendered / traded for futures. No 1sts.

OK. To me, I did everything right and allowed for a bit of wiggle room.

You are not trading a 1st for Robertson. If anything Robertson is the lesser light (marginally) of this deal, but that is primarily a positional thing given Niemela is a RHD who is .67 points/game as a 21 year old in the minors. You're going to need someone after Letang and Karlsson. He is a hell of a good candidate.

That's fair. Your opinion isn't wrong, I just don't agree. All good.

Maybe. I really don't know prospects. I just don't see many prospects for 1sts trades in the NHL.

But again, you are not getting one player for that pick. You are getting a pair of players who have overshot their draft slot, Niemela by a considerable margin. I mean could you raise the protection to Top 10 from Top 5, sure, not a deal breaker there.

Keep in mind that after a couple years draft pedigree looks good on a hockey card and that's about it. The player needs to develop. Look at current Marlie Kieffer Bellows. Son of a good hockey player, he is a former 1st rounder who is on, what, his 3rd organization now having never really stuck. I've watched him a lot this year. He is no threat to make the Leafs despite the point totals because the rest of his game has not developed.

Robertson, now that he is finally healthy, is starting top get his legs under him at the pro level. And Niemela will be a suitable heir as a PP QB for Pittsburgh.

You could be right. If the pick was top 10 protected, it could be a possibility. It really depends on how both would have developed in the year and a half from now.