Ghost of Kyiv
Wanted Dead and Alive
Toronto is currently paying $11.2 million on players to not lace up the skates for them, they've shown the willingness to buy draft picks and futures. I think the chances of them taking Lehtonen off our hands and giving us Reimer are much higher than the chances of us acquiring a number 1 defenseman. And because of that, looking into such a deal should be of very high priority.
Spending assets to acquire a player to help for just one year is not a good strategy, but spending assets to help multiple years should very much be explored. Riemer is an upgrade over Lehtonen and Niemi this year. Not that he's great, but he has been playing behind a porous defense his entire career so Dallas would be nothing new for him. And then in 16/17 and 17/18, I can think of a million ways to better spend $5.9 million than Kari Lehtonen.
The other potential option that has a slight chance of working would be Calgary in the offseason. Do something like trade Niemi and take back Raymond with the intent of a buyout.
Spending assets to acquire a player to help for just one year is not a good strategy, but spending assets to help multiple years should very much be explored. Riemer is an upgrade over Lehtonen and Niemi this year. Not that he's great, but he has been playing behind a porous defense his entire career so Dallas would be nothing new for him. And then in 16/17 and 17/18, I can think of a million ways to better spend $5.9 million than Kari Lehtonen.
The other potential option that has a slight chance of working would be Calgary in the offseason. Do something like trade Niemi and take back Raymond with the intent of a buyout.