Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: May 3, 2020

Published: May 3, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

No matter how many different Armchair GMs I make I keep coming back to something simple like this.

Minnesota Trade:
Donato had 16 points in 22 games after being traded to Minnesota from Boston in 2018-19. That's roughly a 60 point pace. This season, however, Donato seen his ice time cut by 5 minutes a game from 15:33 when he first arrived in Minnesota to 10:38 this season. Therefore, he only produced at a 30 point pace. This is a player I think could benefit from an expanded role on a more offensively inclined Leafs roster. Not to mention Minnesota could use some center depth with the likely retirement of Koivu (Staal, ErikssonEk, Kerfoot down the middle)

San Jose Trade:
Johnsson adds some younger offensive depth for the Sharks.

Some Signing Explanations:
Dermott takes his qualifying offer hoping for a bigger pay day on the other end similar to what Andreas Johnsson did a year ago.

Larsson is a defensive third like center (similar to Marcus Kruger or Nick Bonino, albeit less offensive than the latter) that should help anchor the PK and be a nice compliment to Kapanen and Donato.

DeMelo is a possession-strong right side defencemen who I would compare to Brian Dumoulin. Therefore, I see him as a perfect compliment to Rielly likewise Dumoulin is to Letang.

LaDue during his short tenures with LA had very good possession stats playing around 14 minutes a night yet last year played the entire season in the AHL. His counting stats in the AHL are very similar to that of Justin Holl therefore on a cheap contact LaDue a RHD should be a good fit as a 6th or 7th defencemen.

Lehner opts for long term security over a higher AAV - Lehner has played for 5 teams over the last 6 years he's ready to settle down and stay put in one spot. Plus, Lehner is a great advocate for mental health and sees the Toronto media has a great opportunity for such. IDK maybe this is possible?

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