Sure Bertuzzi and his wife just had their 2nd child in Michigan, He's not waiving to be over 2,400 miles from his young family for Edmonton.

It's hockey, he's a hockey player. It's what they do.

My thought was at least he'd be waiving to go play with McDavid & company. And it'd only be for the rest of this year/playoffs.

You do realize that Bertuzzi is playing in his home town of Toronto right? He's not waiving his NMC from his home town to the likes of Edmonton.

crazier things have happened, the McDavid effect is a strong one. If bert was asked if he'd waive for the oilers , might be too good to say no to. Especially since the leafs could be out of the playoffs if they don't play more consistently

First off "if" the Caps can shed Carlson's contract it prob would require retention and they would NOT want older players back. So three players for three players doesnt make a whole lot of sense for the Caps even if term lengths are different.

Dealing Carlson would be smart as I think he's on the decline....and DC could rebuild the right side of the D with Iorio, Bear, Alexeyev, TvR among others. And they could even move Jensen or TvR as well.

Carlson should yield a 1st rounder based on his historical production and PP ability. Maybe a good 2nd and a very high prospect if you cannot get a 1st based on contract term/cost.
Edmundson is worth a 4th or 5th rounder at best, he is a 7th depth guy on most teams.
Dowd would cost a 2nd rounder and a middle prospect. He is WAY too valuable for the return above.

Keep Kampf as he could slot into bottom 6 role like what Eller provided before he left. He's got 4 years of term but at a good salary. Caps prob say no to Brodie even at an expiring deal, there are too many defensemen to develop and that's some prime ice time. Niemala can get moved out of this deal too, he's got 0 NHL games and again there are 3-4 decent D that can develop on lower pairings and AHL.

If I were GMBM I would trade you Carlson, Edmundson, and Lapierre (not Dowd) for a 1st Rounder, 3rd Rounder, and Kampf, plus a conditional middle round pick based on # of games Lapierre gets at NHL level in 2024-2025. Or if he signs beyond RFA contract w/ TOR.

So? If the Leafs wind up out of the playoffs. Bertuzzi more than likely waives for an Eastern Conference playoff team than the likes of Edmonton so he can be close to his young family.

I don't think this is the deal that would get Carlson + Down and Edmundson, but I wouldn't mind at all if Carlson's name was out there more

Okay fair enough.

But I would think your counter offer is lesser value then?

I had Brodie here with the idea caps would flip him for a pick at deadline.

I think Lapierre at 21y old and with his upside would be very enticing to TOR and a PP capable RD in Carlson for long term, a 7th guy and LD/RD capable grinder in Edmundson (expiring).

So --- Carlson (Kampf + middle 1st rd), Edmundson (lets call it a 4th rd), Lapierre (3rd + Conditions) -- is that a little more balanced?

How would the leafs miss playoffs? They have more wins than the sharks