Quoting: NoWah49
I think the Leafs are one piece away (obviously being the RD). I thought Barrie was gonna fit well with Muzzin, but it ended up being Holl who played well with him. If that covers the 2nd pairing, then all that's left to get is just one top 4, defensively solid guy who plays on the right. I think Dermott fits into being too good for the bottom pair, as well as not being good enough to be the guy to play with Rielly. Which is why I see him as a solid trade chip to get the dman in question. Who knows what the market is for Dermott tho.
I really don't understand all this nonsense about 1st, 2nd and 3rd pairings.(and I don't think CapFriendly fans understand it either)... Truly it's nonsense at least when comes to the Leafs. Take Reilly is he a # 1 guy? He might play most minutes due to the PP time but he doesn't play "heavy" minute cause he' not not PK. Muzzin might be considered the Leafs best overall Dman, but the make he a # 1 or # 2, according to the silly number system.
I thought Dermot was underrated. Two year ago he played almost exclusively with a Russian rookie and they seemed to really have found their footing till Dermot got hurt. Then Dermot plays with Ceci. So it's not like Dermot has been sheltered for two years. Gee if Dermot played with Reilly (at least when the Leafs had the puck) Dermot would the easiest minutes in his NHL career.
And these third pairing....what does it mean? Generally "third pairing" guys play at even strength and even the PK. On the road especially they will play against the opposition either top or second line. So even a teams worse Dmen better be NHL competent because they are going to see minutes, big minutes against top lines.
The Leafs dug themselves in a cap hole by overpaying Matthews/Nylander/Marner, 5m too much. So if/when the Leafs get a much needed solid NHL Dman or two, it will be price of a good forward or two.
Leafs don't have enough NHL Dman depth to trade one Dman, let's say Dermot just to get a another Dman, even if the new guy is better.