I’d argue to give the season before making that judgment.

Barrie is playing for the perfect team. It fits his style to a tee and the fact he is one of the best players at completing a stretch pass on a team that desperately wanted to make them is going to be interesting.

He’s a player the Leafs needed on the PP and on D...Their RS has been exploited the past few years.
- Santo_44

Gardiner was the best at the stretch pass by far and Barrie's even better.

This is INSANE. You don't trade a 22 year-old franchise centre to "Free Up Cap Space". LOL.

Who cares about the late first round pick? You have lost your #1 overall pick from 3 yeaars ago. And having Marleau still on the team? He was so bad. He needed to go.
- RogerRoeper

Do you know what's insane?

Taking the cap space aspect of the deal and making it the primary reason. Like you aren't even getting a 24 year old top flight dman back in the deal.

The Leafs had wicked centre depth, mainly because they have 2 #1C's. Defense.....not so good. It's not like Tavares in going to net you Seth Jones, how do you even approach a guy and ask him to waive his NMC after 1 season with what he just did?



You're trying to build a championship team, not show off who has the prettiest collection of talent. I think given the strengths and weaknesses of your team Jones brings you closer. Given what else you've sacrificed in the process of "clearing cap space" , shaving $6M off the hop is a pretty good start.

In 2 years the strength of your team is likely on the back end and you still have elite scorers up front, with depth.

Flame away.

Do you know what's insane?

Taking the cap space aspect of the deal and making it the primary reason. Like you aren't even getting a 24 year old top flight dman back in the deal.

The Leafs had wicked centre depth, mainly because they have 2 #1C's. Defense.....not so good. It's not like Tavares in going to net you Seth Jones, how do you even approach a guy and ask him to waive his NMC after 1 season with what he just did?



You're trying to build a championship team, not show off who has the prettiest collection of talent. I think given the strengths and weaknesses of your team Jones brings you closer. Given what else you've sacrificed in the process of "clearing cap space" , shaving $6M off the hop is a pretty good start.

In 2 years the strength of your team is likely on the back end and you still have elite scorers up front, with depth.

Flame away.
- golfingsince

Marner for Jones, sure. Matthews? No way. And if they trade Matthews they are actually bad down the middle. Majority of teams win now with 2 #1 Cs.

And I think you are underrtating the Leafs D. It's improved.

WE go go another 30 years and Leafs still haven't been able to draft a #1 star centre like Matthews.

"Cap Space" is a great argument for 2 guys just traded-Zaitsev and Marleau just made too much for guys who mean very little to the team. You do not worry one bit about Matthews cap hit considering his stats, age and abilities.