To beat the cap, you gotta roll the dice. Yes, that means handing out a sketchy contract to an unknown commodity at the time (yes believe it or not, Duncan Keith was an unknown commodity when he signed his contract, Hawks decided he was worth rolling the dice on and holy hell did it pay out huge). .
While it is sure that Jones does not move from Nashville, how about Ellis? He's fairly good in his own end and is a very skilled puck moving defenceman - also a RHD.
Nashville is a team that could use JVR offense and his contract very pleasing also.
Nashville has strength on defense with Weber and Josi carrying the team..
I think there is the potential here to pry Seth Jones away from the Preds in a blockbuster trade involving JVR on Leafs side.
If I were to trade JVR this is the type of deal I would be pursuing.
If the Leafs could acquire a high end future asset like a Dal Colle or add to jvr to get a Nick Ritchie and Anh 1st then I don't see the value in keeping him.
If the only offers are bundles of mediocre assets then hold on until the offers improve.
Adding a Dal Colle to Marner, Brown, Kapanen, Nylander is too good to pass up.
I would think the cost to get JVR would easily be Ritchie + ANA 1st (late pick). You would think that JVR's value is at least the same as Bobby Ryan. In this trade their actually giving up less, so i doubt we add.