Preds accept

Toronto can only protect 3 D (Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie). That would expose Ekholm for the expansion draft (and he'll probably get claimed by Seattle). So after that draft, Toronto is missing their 3C (or 2LW/2RW), 1 of their 2 best defence prospects (the other is Rasmus Sandin), and their 1st and 2nd round picks this year. There's no way this is a good deal for Toronto. If I were Dubas, I would not look to acquire a D-man at all because the Leafs can only protect 3 D, so they'd probably lose whoever they acquire (same goes for goalies who aren't pending UFAs).

Why would the Leafs expose Ekholm if they acquire him at the deadline? They have the ability to protect 4 defensemen and can play against the expansion draft system by "exposing Hyman" but have a contract handshake in place. Seattle is open to selecting any available player, Hyman included, but why would they when it is known that Hyman doesn't have to sign with that organization. Essentially, we are still protecting Hyman and all the players that are truly exposed and unprotected are Kerfoot, Holl, Dermott, and Engvall

You can protect 4 d if you only go with 4 forwards, which is all the leafs need to protect anyway (Hyman is a UFA, Mikheyev is exempt, and Kerfoot is probably replaceable).

Exactly. We are essentially debating whether we need to protect Kerfoot, Holl, or Ekholm at this point. Holl has been solid, but if he is picked, I won't lose sleep over it.

I agree with what you're saying, and Kerfoot is probably replaceable, but I don't think I would give up a 1st and a 2nd rd pick plus Liljegren.

I don't want to be in a predicament right now, but this year's draft is kind of "useless." Look at what Tampa did to win the cup. They acquired two solid additions for a prospect and two first round picks. Players like Ekholm WITH TERM costs a lot and if you want to win the cup, you make those types of sacrifices and judgements. Liljegren has been in the Leafs system for years now, and not playing in the NHL at this point is concerning. I would feel more comfortable giving up this package rather than giving up one of Amirov, Robertson, and Sandin

That's a fair assessment and I agree about this year's draft and not giving up one of the 3 prospects you listed. What about Calle Rosen? Toronto signed him to an ELC in 2017, traded him to Avs in Kadri deal, and brought him back in February 2020. What do you think about him?

Rosen is interesting, but he doesn't have a lot of NHL experience and is definitely not a prospect. How old is he now? 27 I'm guessing? (haven't looked)

Yes, you're right he is 27 but in his time with the Avs he played well, and I thought the Leafs were going to do something when they resigned him. He's a pending UFA, and his current cap hit is 750,000. He would be a cheap depth option that maybe Nashville would be interested in.