EKHOLM SZNNNNNNN

Preds accept

Toronto can only protect 3 D (Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie). That would expose Ekholm for the expansion draft (and he'll probably get claimed by Seattle). So after that draft, Toronto is missing their 3C (or 2LW/2RW), 1 of their 2 best defence prospects (the other is Rasmus Sandin), and their 1st and 2nd round picks this year. There's no way this is a good deal for Toronto. If I were Dubas, I would not look to acquire a D-man at all because the Leafs can only protect 3 D, so they'd probably lose whoever they acquire (same goes for goalies who aren't pending UFAs).

Why would the Leafs expose Ekholm if they acquire him at the deadline? They have the ability to protect 4 defensemen and can play against the expansion draft system by "exposing Hyman" but have a contract handshake in place. Seattle is open to selecting any available player, Hyman included, but why would they when it is known that Hyman doesn't have to sign with that organization. Essentially, we are still protecting Hyman and all the players that are truly exposed and unprotected are Kerfoot, Holl, Dermott, and Engvall

You can protect 4 d if you only go with 4 forwards, which is all the leafs need to protect anyway (Hyman is a UFA, Mikheyev is exempt, and Kerfoot is probably replaceable).

Exactly. We are essentially debating whether we need to protect Kerfoot, Holl, or Ekholm at this point. Holl has been solid, but if he is picked, I won't lose sleep over it.