I realize that it is heresy to discuss a Matthews trade, but for the purpose of discussion, would the team be better off in the end? (not just next year, but down the road)
To Ottawa: Matthews, Johnsson
To Toronto: 3rd OA, 5th OA, L. Brown, 2nd, 3rd round picks.
To LA: 3rd OA, Kerfoot, Holl
To Toronto: 2nd OA, 2nd round pick
To Anaheim: Kapanen, Dermott (@2x1.75M)
To Toronto: Manson
FA signings:
Taylor Hall: 4x7M
Chris Tanev: 3x4.1M
Jake Virtanen: 2x1.75M (or similar 3rd line player)
Draft:
2 OA: Byfield or Stutzle (I prefer Byfield)
5 OA: Drysdale
3 2nd round picks, 1 3rd, and 9 picks 4th-6th rounds (a chance to re-stock the cupboard/deal?)
Team:
Hall Tavares Marner (29 M)
Byfield Nylander Hyman (integrate Byfield to C if/when appropriate, I think Nylander can compete at C, N can slide to either side as can Hyman if Byfield succeeds at C) (10.25ish M)
Mykheyev Brown Barabonov/Virtanen (4.5ish M max)
Robertson Engvall Barabonov/Virtanen (4ish M max)
Spezza .8M Thornton .8M
approx 50M on Fs
*Tavares will age, but is certainly still a competent #1C, and could be moved over to W when/if Byfield shows the expected growth. With Brown and Engvall behind him our future at C looks promising, and BIG!
Rielly Manson (9.1M)
Muzzin Liljegren (6.5 M)
Sandin Tanev (5M)
Lehtonen .925M Rosen .9M
approx 22 M
*Much of this is based on a conversation
@biotk and I had regarding the development of young defensemen. To paraphrase (and any misrepresentation of his ideas are because of me), allow a Liljgren/Sandin to develop knowing they will be put out regardless, but give them the chance to succeed by playing them with capable, intelligent defense partners so that the kids can learn. Drysdale gets two years more to develop and grow, we have the picks to find another prospect with upside.
Andersen/Campbell
6.65M
*Move on from Andersen as you wish.
Cap: 78.65M allowing for 3 million flexibility. Oops, forgot Kessel at 1.2M, 1.8 M flexibility.