The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen and their third-round choose within the 2020 NHL Entry Draft in change for Tyson Barrie, Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round choose within the 2020 Draft. The Avalanche are additionally retaining 50 % of Barrie’s $5.5 million cap hit.
For the Maple Leafs, this deal makes quite a lot of sense. They’ll be addressing their greatest want at right-shot defender by buying one of many premier offensive defenders within the NHL in Barrie. Scoring 14 objectives in every of the final two seasons in addition to double-digit objectives in 5 of the final six seasons, Barrie can be proficient as a playmaker having recorded 41, 46, 41, 43 and 45 assists within the final 5 seasons respectively.
Getting him on the crew for less than $2.75 million for the 2019-20 season is a big improve for the Maple Leafs.
On paper, shedding a former 30-goal scorer in Kadri who’s signed to a team-friendly cap hit of solely $four.5 million for every of the following three seasons might appear to be a downside for the Maple Leafs. In actuality, although, the crew is getting a third-year participant who’s already scored over 15 objectives and 42 factors in every of his first two seasons within the NHL as a member of the Avalanche in Kerfoot.
Avalanche heart Alexander Kerfoot has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The 24-year-old heart ought to instantly slot into Kadri’s outdated position on the Maple Leafs’ third line and his new contract shouldn’t be something too restrictive for a Maple Leafs crew that wants wage cap area proper now. The crew must determine a brand new deal for Kerfoot this offseason, although, as he’s a restricted free agent.
The Maple Leafs will look to make use of any and all free cap area they’ve on a brand new deal for his or her most necessary restricted free agent in Mitch Marner who may very well be topic to a suggestion sheet if the Maple Leafs don’t determine one thing out. Whereas that risk might appear to be extra of a fable than actuality, the Montreal Canadiens proved that provide sheets do exist, signing Sebastian Aho to the primary of its variety since 2013.
Avalanche Getting a Confirmed Objective-Scorer
For the Avalanche, this deal will get them a veteran in Kadri who may in all probability return to type with them subsequent season after taking a step again in 2018-19. In Kadri’s protection, he scored 32 objectives in every of the earlier two seasons he performed in with the Maple Leafs whereas skating in a top-six position earlier than being relegated to the third line.
Nazem Kadri has been traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Colorado Avalanche, Dec. 12, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
This “demotion” wasn’t Kadri’s fault, however extra a byproduct of the Maple Leafs signing John Tavares final season. He would nonetheless rating 16 objectives and 44 factors regardless of his decreased position with the membership.
Kadri ought to instantly slot onto the crew’s second line and may very well be enjoying alongside Andre Burakovsky and Tyson Jost from the get-go in Colorado. Another choice for the crew’s top-six alongside Kadri may very well be Joonas Donskoi who was additionally signed this offseason by Colorado.
The Avalanche additionally acquired Rosen from the Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-1 defender scored seven objectives and 46 factors in 54 video games with the Toronto Marlies final season. He’s solely performed in eight NHL video games so far, scoring one purpose and two factors within the course of, however there’s nonetheless time to develop at solely 25 years outdated.
