Leafs 2017-18 2nd Try

You're still right, they're going to lose someone, and you're right, Fowler would be a good guy to go after...but you're still making the mistake of thinking that quantity will get you quality. You're throwing 3 B- or C prospects plus a second round pick (Likely also a B-/C prospect) for a top pairing dman. It's not enough. Again, if the Leafs make this offer, there's 29 other teams that will offer more.

Everyone seems to be giving Hyman more credit than he deserves.

What I'm giving them is 4 controllable assets as they need young guys with control. They already have $71M committed next year. 3 B level prospects and a 2nd round pick isn't a slouch of an offer for ONE player who will want in excess of $6M in 2 years which they won't be able to afford.

Tell me who would give up more and who has more when the Leafs have one of the best farm systems. As well I'm giving them 3 young FORWARDS, they don't need defense. I'm giving them 3 forwards who could be 2nd/3rd liners. They already have all their first line forwards locked up for a few years.

I'm not sure why they won't be able to afford it? Ritchie is the only fwd that isn't locked up long term? Bieksa and Stoner are both UFA's after next season which clears up over 7 million in cap room.

If you think about it, the Leafs actually don't have one of the best farm systems any more. They graduated all of their top prospects and are left with a bunch of so-so prospects.

Bob Murray is one of the best GM's in the NHL. He's not an idiot.

Who offers more? Everyone.

Again, throw in another person.

You're thinking 2 years from now but they can't afford what they have right now for next year, so how do you get past that? They have $2M of cap space for 2 forwards and a backup goalie. Go for it.

...Plus the $6.9ish million that they have by putting both Depres and Stoner, neither of whom will likely ever play again, on LTIR.

They've also already got a handful of cheap, young B/C guys that can come up: Kerdiles, Kossila, Sorensen, Etem, Kase, etc, not to mention Sam Steel, who absolutely raked in Regina this year, or Max Jones.

You're weakening a contending teams roster significantly, and filling none of their holes.

Edit: I'm not saying that they aren't going to move one of their defencemen. What I'm saying is that they aren't going to go out take a garbage offer just to move a guy.