Leafs Trade:
C Nazem Kadri, $4.5m (2021-2022) [$2.3m cap hit 2020-2021]
D Cody Ceci, $4.5m (2021-2022)
D Rasmus Dahlin, $0.9m (2020-2021) [RFA]
D Rasmus Sandin, $0.9m (R)
2021 1st
2022 1st
2022 2nd
2022 3rd
Kings Trade:
C/LW Boone Jenner, $3.1m (2022-2023) [$1.5m paid 2020-21]
RW Vladimir Tarasenko, $4.6m (2023-2024) [$2.3m paid 2020-21]
LW/RW Alexander Radulov, $0.9m (2021-2022) [$0.4m paid 2020-21]
RW Patric Hornqvist, $0.9m (2021-2022) [$0.4m paid 2020-21]
D Nikita Zaitsev, $1.5m (2021-2022) [$0.7m paid 2020-21]
D Radko Gudas, $0.9m (2021-2022)
D Adam Pelech, $0.5m (2021-2022)
G Pekka Rinne, $0.5m (2021-2022)
2022 5th
What a trade! I did not anticipate this one at all and was pretty content to start season relatively as is, but Kings came knocking and really wanted Dahlin. While I originally said he is not available this package was ultimately hard to pass and it was a fun negotiation. One factor that came into my decision was Dahlin being RFA next off season. While I was prepared to pay whatever the ultimate price were to be (real life or via RFA bidding), I do have a few high end guys to extend so would be tricky to work it all out cap wise. Ceci/Kadri were probably going to be gone for cap reasons next year at some point anyway, so moving them now made this work with my current cap. Even with no future money I think all guys are on good contracts and I save cap next year looking at full picture. Along with Dahlin I also move my remaining high picks which is not ideal as they could always end up being top end talent eventually, but same I managed to keep a few of my better specs originally requested and compromising only on Sandin. Despite still giving up a lot I feel the return really solidify me this year and next few. Albeit most guys coming my way are in late 20s to mid 30s, I am thinking most will be solid for 2-4 years and some possibly even longer. A few of these guys I would have also paid more in FA if actually had cap so getting them in this package on cheap deals is nice.
All this said this deal hinges a lot on production/health of Tarasenko as he is the clear center piece. There is a some risk here given he had multiple shoulder surgeries but I decided I am ok taking it on given his track record of 5 straight 33 or more goal seasons and 65+ points. In a short season and probably missing a early chunk odds are he might only return to elite production 2021-22, but I am fine if this ends up being the case and holding hope there are several more 30+ goal seasons in the future especially until his contract is up in 2024. All in all another deal that only time will tell who gets better end but it's all part of the fun and definitely should still increase my immediate chances regardless of what I get from Tarasenko this year.
