1. Danault: I've wondered if the Kings would look to shop Danault as well. New GM, Byfield's game/role/responsibility is increasing, and they might need to clear cap space for a big swing (Marner). With that said I couldn't possibly imagine the Leafs have the trade assets to make this deal anymore.
2. Kadri: If the Flames wanted to mostly ditch his contract (and let go of their dumb beef with Treliving) I'd certainly be interested. But I doubt they'd give him away for cheap because honestly if he was a UFA I don't think getting 4 years x $7mil would be that out of the question so probably not happening with our lack of resources.
3. Karlsson: Liked him last offseason, might be cheaper to get this offseason. Definitely a solid option.
4. ROR: I think the ship has sailed here. And also as much as I like the player I want to get faster down the middle, not slower.
5. Pageau: Pumped his tires a lot last offseason, but he rebounded recently so I expect the Islanders wouldn't be looking to just give him away anymore. He'd be a great fit for 3C at the right price but I also think a somewhat lower ceiling guy like him only makes sense if we get a new 2C while Tavares moves to the wing full time.
6. Schenn: In hindsight it might be worth debating if the Leafs should have taken the Minten+1st from the Laughton deal and tried to make that plus an extra piece or two work to get Schenn instead. But that ship has sailed too and the assets to make a deal like that work are long gone.
7. Wennberg: Probably similar to Pageau in that sense that this would only be ideal if someone like Karlsson was also acquired to push Tavares to centre.
8. Zacha: Again, in hindsight, maybe the deadline play should have been to try and get either Zacha (or Coyle) alongside Carlo instead of Scott Laughton. At the time though I guess it likely wouldn't have worked cap space wise. Regardless the ship has sailed and I don't see us having the resources to make an attractive trade offer here.
9. Zibanejad: They don't directly steal my Zibanejad for Rielly trade proposal but he makes the list anyway. He might be my top target assuming the Leafs don't use up a ton of their cap space on Bennett (and it's sounding more and more likely they won't even get a chance to offer I think). Likely available for pennies on the dollar considering his contract. If he rebounds he's basically the perfect 2C to fit between Matthews and Tavares. If he doesn't rebound well we probably would have lost in the playoffs regardless so what's the point of any of this anyway really. Biggest hurdle is probably his NMC but perhaps Nylander can sell him on the idea of playing here.
