Mike Stephens
The first move I would make as the Toronto Maple Leafs GM would be trading Matt Martin to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau. Based on the Demers trade, Dale Tallon has already set that market, leaving no doubt that I could pull it off.
So, with Martin gone, Kasperi Kapanen hs now earned the 4th line LW job. I’d then waive Eric Fehr, letting him either be claimed by another team, or be sent to the Marlies. His departure would now gift the 4th line center spot to Miro Aaltonen, who has absolutely earned it with a solid pre-season.
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I’d hang onto Dominic Moore, making him the extra center. He’s a solid option to slot in if Aaltonen struggles to adapt to the North American game. Both players make around $1 million, meaning the impact on the cap would be minimal. On defense, my first order of business would be sending Roman Polak home. He’s clearly still injured, and even when healthy last season, he was terrible. Next, I would then trade Martin Marincin to Edmonton for Jesse Puljujarvi. We all know the Oilers love to trade their young offensive talent for underwhelming D-men. It’s a match made in heaven. With both guys gone, it would pave the way for Andreas Borgman to grab the final LD spot. Calle Rosen may be older, but I believe Borgman has a higher ceiling, and has looked superb in the pre-season so far.
Him and Carrick could create a sneakily effective bottom D pair. In the end, Fehr, Martin, Polak and Marincin gone. That leaves Aaltonen, Kapanen and Borgman on the opening night roster, with Leivo and Rosen as spares. Boom.