I like what you've done here, Bulldog. I think you remedy a few things by adding / doing the following:
- Lupul + is traded for (fingers crossed) Alex Edler from Vancouver. Salaries are basically a wash.
- Kadri is traded for a young player or prospect (oh, I don't know, Ryan Strome? Probably dreaming. Something like that, anyway). Kulemin and Bolland both walk. Projected salary savings $7M.
- Paul Stastny signs 5 year, $32M ($6.4/season)
- Assuming Reimer + Gunnarson is enough to land Kane (it's not, I'm afraid), Kane moves onto the second line.
- And for my psychedelic 'pi?ce de r?sistance', the Leafs trade Clarkson + prospect / pick to Buffalo for Christian (don't call me Jack) Ehrhoff. Sign Jussi Jokinen to 1 yr, $2.5M deal as a stopgap. I guess that means Gleason has to be moved somewhere...
I acknowledge it's not perfect, and the third line is a pretty steep drop-off that isn't exactly a shut down defensive unit nor one that would add much offense. But I figure the Leafs won't be serious contenders next year anyhow and these deals keep them relatively young and move a big problem contract for one that at least addresses a need.
FORWARDS
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($4.200m) /Phil Kessel($8.000m)
Evander Kane ($5.250m)/ Paul Stastny ($6.400m) / Jussi Jokinen ($2.500m)
Jerry D'Amigo ($0.800m) / Peter Holland ($0.925m) / Leo Komarov ($2.000m)
Carter Ashton ($0.925m) / Trevor Smith ($0.600m) / Troy Bodie ($0.800m)
Frazer McLaren ($0.700m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf ($7.000m) / Alex Edler ($5.000m)
Jake Gardiner ($2.200m) / Erik Gudbranson ($2.200m)
Christian Ehrhoff($4.000m) / Morgan Rielly ($0.894m)
Paul Ranger ($1.000m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($2.900m)
Drew MacIntyre ($0.800m)