Goalie signing

There's no way that Dubas trades Muzzin with a sweetner, especially a player that they are relying on making the jump and be a full time NHLer (same goes for anyone they expect to compete for a spot in the next 3 years).

Given where the Leafs are, they don't have much time to wait on Robertson to make the jump. They have a clear 2-year window and there's no guarantee Robertson develops into what the Leafs need.

They don't have a two-year window, they have a two-year window with Matthews under contract "GUARANTEED". If they trade Robertson it should be in a hockey trade. They can likely waive Muzzin and someone would take him. They still need him though, only reason to trade him is the Sandin situation. They have the cap for a goalie, and potentially add some good pieces in FA.

There best bet is targeting guys in free agency atm and trying to get them for cheap on short term deals.
Guys like: Marchment, Strome, Kubalik, and Domi who would come much cheaper than Garland, likely can get two of them for around his cap.

Most important thing is getting that goalie first. If they get a 3.5m guy or a 5m+ guy it's going to make a huge difference in terms of what they can do.

Did people forget RYAN MCDONAGH WAS TRADED WITH NO RETENTION OR SWEETENER

Muzzin can easily be moved in the same manner

It wouldnt be great but if we need to we will

Supposedly, they had a back up deal for CBJ to claim him off waivers if they couldn;t do a hockey deal. So, if the Leafs waive him, I expect them to claim him. That being said I think a trade with Ottawa would work for all parties if it comes to it.