You're not even close on the Dumba value. Leafs won't be the only team trying to get him. Like we've seen when trading for top-4 dmen, especially young ones with possible room to grow like Dumba, it will probably require an overpay. Hopefully not Nylander, but I'll bet that's what Minnesota will be asking for at least to begin talks.

As for Kovalchuk, I don't really see the point in trading for more skill wingers and especially older ones at that, I know Lou has a history but giving up on Kapanen so early would be tough to swallow. Plus I think Kovalchuk has said he wants multiple years at 6-8 mil in either New York or Florida.

Rumor has it that Kovalchuk might be staying in the KHL, He wants to play in the Olympics and he might be talking with an KHL team.

Sure, there's that Devils connection between Lou and Ilya, but Ilya burned him good so I don't think Lou would go down that road again. As well, Ilya could get his rights traded anywhere, it doesn't mean he will sign a contract with the team his rights are traded to. I feel like he will go to a win-now team. Also, the Leafs love Zach Hyman and Connor Brown. They would both need replacing, especially on the penalty kill. I am not saying Dumba is not worth it, I just think the Leafs have other assets they could give up instead.

He changes his mind every other day. If I was Ray Shero, I would just trade his rights already and be done with him for good. He has haunted the Devils for far too long. Just because his rights are traded though, as I mentioned above, it does not mean he will sign with that team. He could always work out as part of his new contract that the NHL would allow him to play in the 2018 Olympics. I wonder if the NHL would allow such a clause in his contract.

On Kovalchuk - I don't really want him here. I think we have a great team up front without him. Merely curious about value

On Dumba - I agree/disagree with you. I don't want to base all young D trades off of Hall/Larsson. I think that was one of those anomaly trades. Now I'm not saying that defense isn't a premium....it most definitely is. But If its gonna cost Nylander or Marner....no thanks

The Leafs would be last team that needs Kovalchuk. Don't they have 3 fine RWers now and Kapanen makes four. And you're not getting the 27 year old Kovalchuk, you're getting the 34 year old who has been away from top flight hockey for years. And Kovi bolted out of contract in Lou's NJD to go back to Russia, do you really think Lou has any inkling to sign him again?

I think that the Leafs should first and foremost be looking for defenseman that are not only young and fast (and yes Dumba meets those criteria) but play a more physical, hard-checking and defensive game. I am not saying any of these are available, but I'd look to Calvin de Haan (NYI), Josh Manson (ANA), Jacob Slavin (CAR), just to name a couple. Once that is satisfied, then you go after Dumba.

Slava Malamud and Alvin Kalnins were the ones now saying that Kovalchuk wants to stay in the KHL and he's talking to SKA about signing a contract.

I saw the article about it. I am not convinced. I actually couldn't even care less what he does with himself and his hockey endeavours. I just do not want the Leafs to have anything to do with him.

Ovi says he wants to play in Olympics as well. And Leonis said that's fine.
As do many NHL stars. Imagine players like Ovi, Toews, Kane, Crosby saying they are going. What will Bettman do?
I don't think the Olympics is the issue I think its all posturing for Kovy to have a reason to bail. In the end I think he comes over and the draft becomes the bright shiny toy for Jersey.

Way, way, way too much for Kovalchuk. Move Hyman, sure, but not Kapanen. Kovalchuk is tough to put a value on but there is no need to overpay for that player.

Minnesota needs a comparable player that is draft exempt in return for Dumba. Brown isn't good enough and the next tier up for the Leafs is too good. Tough to make that fit unless Minne is feeling generous.