Here’s how I understand it:
The Leafs acquired a very good defensive forward with considerable playoff experience for a negligible cost, a sixth or seventh rounder in 2022.
This has no cap implications for the remainder of the regular season. Nash can be activated for the playoffs, however, by which time he is expected to be fully recovered from his present injuries.
There are probably real dollar implications for Columbus, however. They are not a wealthy team and not having to pay Nash’s salary may have been important to them. My speculation: the real dollars salary relief may have been more important to them than the draft pick. It is also just possible that a further trade with Columbus might involve salary retention that these real dollars savings would help pay for. But that, as I say, is speculation
Putting Freddie on LTIR would provide about $5 M in cap space, but only if he stays on the LTIR the rest of the regular season. That seems an unlikely and very risky course of action unless a) the Leafs know his injury is lingering or more serious than we know (The Leafs would certainly try to hide such an injury, for obvious reasons.) Or b) If the Leafs acquire a reliable goalie before the deadline, it could be a sign Freddie will stay on LTIR.
It’s going to be an interesting weekend!
