Ben Hutton is simply not good enough. He also plays the wrong side

Same side as Gardiner and is a cheaper, younger top 4 defenseman.

He is playing in the top 4 this year and simply not doing that well at it. And the Leafs don't need to replace Gardiner. They have an internal replacement they've developed (Dermott) AND picked Muzzin this year. The Leafs need a RD.

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1083687
What u think

They're both LHD but I'd argue that Hutton is more of a third pair guy. Definitely not the same as Gardiner. & Hutton is kinda pointless to Toronto when they already have 4LHD that can replace Gardiner (Muzzin, Dermott, Rosen, and Sandin)
So Toronto turns that idea down

I don't agree that he hasn't played well as a top 4 D. Your point re: RHD is valid though.

He's played okay at best. The Leafs just shouldn't trade valuable pieces for okay pieces. It just doesn't make sense

I don't think hes terrible or anything but he just isn't good enough for the Leafs to expend assets to acquire. They have enough (too much) number 4-6 defenseman. They need more number 1-3.

Not sure how much you've seen him, but when he was paired with Stetcher, he played well. Earlier this season when he was paired with Gudbranson, the pairing struggled. But I agree, He's not a 1-3. He's a solid 4.

See my response to BCAPP

That's very fair. And I haven't watched him all that much, but if he is a split 4 having him locked through his mid 20s at under 3 is valuable. Just not to the leafs

Solid* not split

We'll see how the playoffs pan out, but I thought the Muzzin trade was a bad idea. I don't think he's comfortable on the right side. I think a cheaper deal for someone like Hutton would have been better.

As I said though, Toronto has many internal options to replace Gardiner. Most of them are better than Hutton. So I can't see them giving up Kapanen for that reason

What's so bad about an offer sheet? Leafs can match and even the picks may be worth more than this trade. The Leafs can match an if needed cap space they will have to make a trade and it doesn't have to be Kapanen.

Even so Muzzin is now a leaf. He is better than Hutton.

The Leafs top 4 d for next year is one of the following two with no major acquisitions

Rielly-dermott
Muzzin-zaitsev

Rielly-Muzzin
Dermott-Zaitsev

The 3rd pairing d depth chart probably looks something like this

LD:

Rosen/Borgman/Sandin

Rd:
ozhiganov/Holl/Liljegren/NCAA kid we just signed

So Hutton just isn't better than the the top 4. Maybe equal to zaitsev and a better contract. But not better than Dermott or muzzin.

Ie he an upgrade to that third pairing? Sure, but the Leafs shouldn't be spending assets or cap improving the third pairing. There are enough guys there that they should be able to put together a good third pairing (and they're all young with a few of them having high end upside to boot)

Want to make a trade for kappy? Then stecher is coming back not Hutton. Leafs have no use for him. Our left side is loaded.