'Exec No. 2: “This is reasonable. I don’t think it helps Anaheim as much as if they just sought out a pure futures package, but they have said that they want a player of similar age back in the deal, and Kerfoot fits that bill.”'

What the second exec said. I think it gets done with Liljegren. Anaheim has indicated they want guys who help now/soon and Liljegren is closer to having an impact in the NHL than Sandin is as well as Anaheim having a lot of left handed guys signed/wanting to resign/on the way compared to the right.

From a Leafs perspective, its just not worth it. Rakell doesn't provide enough upgrade over Kerfoot to warrant a 1st and a top prospect in return.

Seems like a lot of people think Liljegren is a bust

No chance Rakell returns that much

Not a chance this happens. Multiple people have reported that sandin is untouchable and there’s no way they would offer him and a first. Typical Toronto media.

You’d be surprised.

Seems a lot of people can read different things into statements. I didn't read anywhere that it said he was a bust, just the third-ranked prospect of three listed. By ONE unnamed source. Time will tell of course.

What? I’m not a Leafs fan, but Sandin is ready now. Liljegren might be ready too (he’s close at least), but Sandin could be playing in the NHL today, and is better, and has a higher ceiling.

Objectively I think Toronto is overpaying here. I’m a fan of Rakell but the numbers don’t lie, and he can’t exactly been great the last few seasons. He last scored 30 three years ago and hasn’t topped 20 since. A 1st, a similar age roster player, and a top prospect (e.g. Sandin, Robertson) is too much. 1st+good prospect (e.g. Liljegren) would probably be the most Toronto should be paying. Obviously Kerfoot needs to leave for cap reasons but if he’s included then Anaheim should be sending back more. I wouldn’t include Sandin or Robertson in a trade if I’m the Leafs unless you’re getting Forsberg retained tbh.

A top end prospect and a 1st is way too much

I don't think this is smart for Toronto nor do I think they'd do it. Dubas did say that he'd trade a top prospect to help the team now, but Sandin is as close to an untouchable as you can get: you'd have to knock their socks off to get him out of Toronto. He'll be a full time player after they likely lose Dermott to Seattle, and the fact that he's not waiver eligible makes him extremely valuable for a playoff run. Same goes for Robertson really. I think when Dubas said he'd "trade a top prospect to help the team now" he was more referring to Liljegren or Amirov or the 1st round pick. But guys like Sandin and Robertson who are clearly NHL options at some time in the near future are valued extremely high by a team that's tight to the cap.

I don't think it's terrible value for Rakell, but a tad of an overpay. I think the prospect quality isn't an A one that would be given up, likely closer to a B prospect or 2 but the quality of Rakell's play just ins't enough to justify an A prospect. He's been on a hot streak, but he hasn't been a consistent offensive force in 3 years. Anaheim can have the price high right now but I doubt teams bite on it if an A prospect has to be involved.

I'm not really sure why. Over the last 2 seasons in the AHL he's putting up .74 points per game which is just behind Erik Brannstrom's .78 points per game over the same stretch in the AHL who people seem to be extremely high on. The reality is that defencemen usually take longer to develop, has to do with agility being such a key element to their game. I wouldn't say Liljegren is a bust when he's still 21 years old and doing great in the AHL. He may not have a top pairing future, but a right handed defenceman that can move the puck well and quarterback a PP are very valuable. There's just not as much hype around him like there was in his draft year, but to call him a bust seems a bit far-fetched.

Unless that prospect is Drysdale I'd say no.