Hertl on the third line would be a huge waste of talent.

I would disagree but Id be happy with him in the second line I just think he makes a better center than kerfoot and with three lines like this the playing time can be split more while giving the top line a slight break, maybe 21-22 minutes a night instead of 25 a night

That's a strong offer - certainly tops any I've suggested from Devils

I have to give some credit to an AGM I saw this morning but it was slightly different, I think it's a smart deal for both sides SJ gets a really good center prospect and a potential top line winger and whatever they want to draft.

Why would the Leafs need Hertl?

Adding a centre/winger like Hertl or Granlund would be ideal. Love the flexibility to move Kerfoot/newly acquired player around the lineup.

However in this trade you've essentially moved 2 1sts, a 2nd and an NHL winger. Hertl is a nice player, but I would be so unwilling to give up that much (regardless of the player)

I am a big believer in constantly adding prospects, so a more attractive package would be a 2021 2nd round pick, and 1 or 2 prospects not named sandin, robertson, Amirov

even better, find a value trade...use a smaller package for a rental like Eric Staal or Palmieri

More depth scoring, stronger in the faceoffs. And more matchup abilities.

I understand your reasoning but at some point you need to take that big risk. I don't think Staal would be it maybe Palmieri but Hertl or a similar player would be greatly more impactful and with the division the way it is if you add a guy like Hertl you are pretty much going to the final four. I don't like moving any one of those pieces but we have a fair bit of center prospects not many lw prospects but that's the most populated position when it comes to free agency. I didn't want to give up any of our top dman prospects.

I wonder how much the expansion draft comes into the play on a trade. Hertl would have to be protected, opening up one of Dermott or Holl (most likely)
If its a rental like Palmieri thats less to give up in the trade and one less person to protect in expansion... just a thought