What happens if someone get hurt?

They have more then enough guys in the minors. Liljgren, Sandin, Rosen, Marincin on defence. Korshkov, Brooks, Boyd, Agostino, and Petan up front.

Kings can get better than upgrading a 3rd to a 2nd, and Leafs healthy scratches for Iafallo (assuming he doesn't reup with the Kings). Also he's taken faceoffs but he's better set as a winger.

They also get a young top 6 guy in dermott, and a decent prospect in Kokkonen. You can't just ignore that

Ahhhh the waiver game. no problem.

Barabanov signed with the Leafs if he wanted to be with the Kings he would have signed here, Kokkonen is projected as a bottom pair d-man if he makes it, and Dermott is the only piece with value as a bottom pair d-man, and yes I believe the Kings can get better offers for the value Iafallos contract provides and I fully expect the Kings to retain to increase that value.

They have enough players to do it so it's really not. And I mean a lot of those guys (except Brooks, Sandin and Liljgren) will get put on waivers after the pre-season anyway

This would significantly downgrade the Leafs overall depth, not to mention the fact that they will never ever roster a team that close to the cap without at least one bench player. I can see them running a 21 man roster for awhile but 20 is out of the question. Signing Vatanen is not a good idea. He's not the type of player the Leafs need on defense and to me is no upgrade over Holl or Dermott. Holl proved totally capable of playing solid D with Muzzin, plus with Dermott's contract he will be playing with something to prove and he's still getting better. The Leafs already have a solid roster and great organizational depth. I doubt the make any more moves before the season.

Aaaaannd we get to wave goodbye to Dermott at the expansion draft. No, thanks.

What if one of their top players get banged up or get the flu, can't play for 2-5 days? You can't bring up a player because of the cap. Your strategy only works for players you are willing to expose on waivers.

Emergency recalls.