Not $7mil. I think we could match but it would be tough and the comp is too great. Question is why would the leafs give up that much again, with 2018 being a good draft year

Leafs would be rolling the dice that Parayko continues his ascension to being a #1 RHD. Even without Parayko, Leafs will probably be drafting somewhere between 15th-30th overall. It's doubtful that any team could draft a "Parayko" in that range AND have him slide right into the Leafs top pairing immediately. I would trade a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Parayko anytime. As for the cap hit number, it would be put even more pressure on the Blues in the fact that they pay Pietrangelo 6.5/season - do they want to pay Parayko more than Pietrangelo?

Read the RFA compensation and not just the first few lines.....It more that what you suggest. And now to give up Carrick and a third just to get enough picks for Parayko. Much cheaper alternatives available for Leafs (though maybe not as good as Parayko) Doubt if the Ducks would give up Theodore for just a year of JVR. Think you have unpaid Brown, Hyman and Zaitsev. That cap space certainly goes down and when Marner, Matthews and Nylander might be getting 20m by summer of 2019.
No team should be overpay for a UFA and especially a RFA for instant gratification cause soon their ain't money to go around.

If there was a guy to to trade a first for its parayko. He's a stud and I would give him 7 x5 in a heart beat. Jvr trade looks fair. Think you could get more for a Carrick but understand we need our 3rd for offer sheet