It's not that they couldn't, it's more that they shouldn't.

They added too many mediocre dmen recently. Hate the Bogo signing personally cause it kind of handcuffs them with Holl/Dermott/Lehtonen

Honestly, if we could go into the season like this, that would be amazing. I'm sure people will say Thornton and Spezza wouldn't hold up down the middle but we've got Brooks, Engvall, and Boyd who could all take time at the 3-4 C positions during the season to give them nights off. That bottom 4 D is sick! And if we can't get Weegar then try for Murphy. If the Leafs can get a quality partner for Muzzin, they could finally give Anderson a D core and not have to stand on his head night after night and wear down. IMO

Seriously, what's with Leaf Nation's Weegar obsession? Is he Bobby Orr?

The probably with giving up too much to acquire Weegar and then resigning him to a long-term contract is the Seattle Expansion Draft after next season.

Teams can only protect 7F/3D/1G, so you'd be losing one of Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin or Weegar to Seattle.

Or you protect 8 players and go with Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie, Weegar.

Those pieces aren’t enticing Florida to move Weegar.

A portion of the fanbase obsesses over every D in their mid 20s who has had one season of great advanced stats and either was extremely sheltered (Roy) or played with a great partner.

You are assuming everyone is always going to be healthy. They will all play. It's always this way

Florida already offered him to Toronto for Dermott and Johnsson but leafs declined. Thats why people keep going at it.

Ya great, then we lose Hyman to Seattle.

Or the Leafs can leave Hyman unprotected, Seattle will have the chance to offer him a deal, but he may already be unofficially signed in Toronto, allowing the Leafs to protect a different player without the chance of losing Hyman. It’s a risk, but one likely worth taking on a player who can be trusted, which Hyman is.

http://sinbin.vegas/curious-role-ufas-expansion-draft/
Possible loophole

But that would allow Hyman to explore free agency.

Or the Leafs can leave Hyman unprotected, Seattle will have the chance to offer him a deal, but he may already be unofficially signed in Toronto, allowing the Leafs to protect a different player without the chance of losing Hyman. It’s a risk, but one likely worth taking on a player who can be trusted, which Hyman is.

http://sinbin.vegas/curious-role-ufas-expansion-draft/
Possible loophole

Yes, that's a possible scenario. Here's another one: Toronto leaves him unprotected, Seattle DOESN'T select him, and he waits a week to see what the market for his services is.

Here's another one: Toronto protects him and he waits a week to see what the market is for his services.

Except what team is putting him beside Matthews and Marner and allows him to build his brand outside of hockey the way he has which is obviously very important to him

They just didn't need guys to play bottom pairing coming into this offseason. They needed quality over quantity and while I really like the Brodie signing, someone to play with Muzzin would probably be best

There's no money left though. I have zero doubt they tried to upgrade Holl but probably nothing there. Lehtonen or Dermott are still wildcards. Sandin is skilled enough to play the right side if he's good enough also. Lots of options. I like not overpaying yet.