No team would give up so much to one year of Doughty, but it seems that it only Leafs that have to. Wild wouldn't trade the "controllable and good Coyle for one year of Gardiner.

Yes, of course, comes with the extension built in. I will restate.

As for Coyle, they have options. On D, they really don't.

Okay so add 4 million to Doughty and you're over the cap. And then factor in the ~20 million or so you'd have to pay Matthews, Marner and Kapanen in 2019 when Doughtys contract kicks in and you're well over 100 million. This really isn't possible! Always fun to dreams though I hear you on that.

These extensions don't happen. What's in for Doughty? As a UFA he can explore all options. But the just of the problem is this. The Kings have to go the Leafs to make a trade. Then they go Doughty telling him that he is going to traded if he agrees to contract with the Leafs. Leafs and Doughty talk. Doughty says no, and then he has to go back to the Kings and play for them. Great. Or the Kings now gotta find another trade partner and then go to Doughty again. When does the madness end?
Of course Doughty and the Leafs come to a "deal". The Leafs now know what Doughty will sign for but don't agree to any deal. Doughty would prefer player for the a stronger version of the Leaf with Nylander and Kadri and the picks. Really these extension...to another team a year in advance are really meaningless.

Leafs only make a deal with the kings if there is a sign and trade involved with Doughty.

The Wild dumped a $4m/yr 3rd pair LD (Scandella) for less than market value last off-season. Adding a $4m/yr 3rd pair LD (Suter and Brodin would be ahead of Gardiner) a year later doesn't make much sense.