Cap relief is the real asset
This is critical for this franchise and has been for years of overpaying non-Cup winning forwards.
If I am the GM, I am cutting loose many millions in this offseason. I hope fans understand that the value of an $11-12M forward who doesn't help the team to a long playoff run is not nearly equal to two $5-6M Gamers who do.
I wanted Petrioangelo rather than re-signing Rielly, and he won a Cup.
I hoped Leafs could get Bennett (apparently Dubas tried) and he won a Cup.
It's time for the Leafs to find these players when they are out of favour, and/or are UFAs. In Petros case, the Leafs wouldn't have lost an asset outside of Rielly as he was an UFA.
GMs have to make difficult decisions at time but they really aren't difficult if your objective it to win Cups not the popularity contest of teammates.