It's realistic

People see JVR and think Leafs dumping cap space. He's 28 with 1 year left on his contract, unless he's the missing piece for a team making a push for the cup now there isn't much point. (They could get him for free next summer, so he's got to be the perfect last 1 or 2 pieces of the puzzle. A good 2nd line winger, PP or even PK)
As for Gardiner, they could have signed the exact same player in Kris Russell except that Russell is older and has now sanded off the some of the rougher edges in his defensive game.
There are GMs who see nothing wrong with paying him 4 million, but WPG has a record of being conservative and smart in their player selections.

On the WPG side, you are not valuing the bargain contract Trouba is signed to. Leafs should be paying a bonus to reflect a 6 million/yr player on the books at 2.8.

I'd do JVR, Gardiner, a 2nd and a 3rd for Trouba without WPG's 1st. Trouba is a number D-man, JVR is gone at the end of the season, Gardiner is a career top 4 d-man, and 2 picks that will probably turn into nothing that special is Ok with me.

Trouba has one year left on his deal. Re-signing in TOR isn't a lock. I am completely cognizant of his value. I also see the left side being an issue for WPG in the next 2 years and Gardiner is a good get.

I don't understand why a 27 goal scorer (Marleau) exchanged for 29 goal scorer,(JVR) and Gardiner exchanged for Trouba, makes the Leafs any better at LW or defence.

Marleau makes JVR expendable. All he costs is money. He's also able to spot in on face-offs should Bozak get tossed. Trouba adds a needed element of toughness to the top 2 pairings. He can skate, he's a great right hand point shot and he can hit. Toronto has no grit or functional toughness at that position.

ODG67: In my wildest dreams I don't know how you can say the Leafs have no grit on defence. Gee, they had young team that made the playoffs. You want think an experienced defence like the Jets....Buff, Enstrom, Stuart, Myers plus Morrissey and Trouba would have been good enough to make the playoffs, but maybe that didn't have grit. I'll agree the Leafs didn't/don't have much functional toughness but geez, Trouba ain't that good. He is under Jets "control" for three years..
Marleau's production has.declined considerable in the last two years. To me it seems like a desperation move by the Leafs. As suggested earlier, his third year contract is going to cost Leafs a good player.
He can't be LTIRed or bought out for cap relief due to plus 35 signing..

My comment was that the Leafs have no real toughness in the top two pairings. I stand by that comment.

No it's not enough.....and Leafs will go through cap crunch in 2 years and will lose a couple kids.......need to get your cup in the next 2 years, but it won't happen, sorry for the bad news....