Other side

It sounds to me from your team description that you're trying out someone else's trades. You're right -- neither trade is good for both sides. The Gardiner trade is bad for Toronto and the Ho-Sang trade is bad for the Islanders AND the Maple Leafs (who don't need a fifth RW). I like the idea of acquiring Rutta, though, because he might fit into a middle slot next year. Gardiner and a second for him and maybe a third appeals to me.

Yeah I was trying out someone else trade, I guess that wasn't really clear.

Yeah I don't the Hawks trade at all, way too much for an aging D with a significant cap hit and a rookie with 1 year left until UFA, he's really worth all that he's not taking less then 6, and Leafs can't afford that.

As for the Isles trade I just threw that in for fun to see how far off the value is. Plus I'm okay with it cause by the end of the year I can see Kapanen moving up to the Mathews line to play with him and Nylander and Brown gets Kapanen PK time.

Leafs might be better this year at defence if they keep Gardiner. and Hainsey rather than Keith and Rutta. Then there is the question for next four years, do you really have cap for Keith or even want to keep him that long.
What's this fascination about trading the Leafs 3rd and 4th goalie( Sparks might even be # 2) which any Leafs fans have. Would have no depth if Andersen even got hurt.
Leafs have enough RWers, I don't think HoSang type of player the Leafs need to add.

Completely agree on the 1st part. I'd rather just stick to what we have. Defence isn't as bad as people think.

My only thought for getting HoSang was that Kapanen can go on the 1st line with Matthews and Nylander and give Kapanens PK time to Brown. To lay it out.

Kapanen-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Marleau-Kadri-HoSang
Johnsson-Lindholm-Brown

PK

Kadri-Brown
Tavares-Hyman

Or

Tavares-Hyman
Lindholm-Brown