I could see something like this happening if NSH has scoring trouble early on in the season and the leafs have a prospect who can make the jump to the pro's this year.
The Anaheim trade though, makes no sense to me. the leafs trade a depth C, a depth D and a B-level prospect for an expensive depth D who will likely sit at #7 or 8, helps the leafs in no way.

You mean the Vegas deal? This is simply a deal to move some of our contracts as we are currently maxed out! None of the 3 players plan on playing a role on the Leafs and Vegas looking to move Stoner! Stoner at best as you describe is a depth defenseman, with only a year left on his contract! Just adds to Leafs flexibility!

Fisher and Neal combined for 83 points. Id say there not desperate enough

Doug, now lets now carried away with players signing extensions. The trade basically on year or JVR and one yea of Bozak for two years of Ellis. Might be fair. Only question is Nylander, centre ready. If not it's a big hole for the Leafs. Rather keep Fehr. At least we know he can play in the NHL.

I just think trading away JVR and Bozak will weaken the Leafs too much this year, I could see that second line coming together next year but not this season.
Leafs seem to be happy to start season with actual D corps; Rielly-Zaitsev // Gardiner - Hainsey or whichever combination Babs uses, this 4D will eat most of the TOI and is a fairly good D, the bottom pair only concern would be to have someone who can PK unless Gardiner is given the role this year so we could see same top 4.
Third pair and depth; Marincin - Carrick (who played top 4 last season) and fighting for spot Marchenko, Rosen, Borgman, Dermott, Nielsen, Loverde, Valiev....Liljegren projected to play top 6 in 2 yrs

Unless someone TOP 4 gets hurt with long term injury I don't see Leafs trading for a D.
IMO JVR and Bozak help to keep chemistry of the team, point producers and good FOW%, now we have a forward group as good as anyone in the league, make a playoff run and make changes next summer.