Quoting: tadhockey
That might be the case if he was a rental. But consider that he's locked up for six more seasons at an extremely affordable rate while playing an absolutely crucial role for the Canes, and that's the price you're talking about. Plus, the Leafs first isn't high enough to get a player that can reliably play on the Canes roster within a year, so that doesn't help Carolina move in the direction they want to go. None of the Leafs' prospects move the needle enough to change that.
A fair package might be Dermott + AJ + Kapanen + Sparks + assorted draft pick compensation.
You are going way overboard for a defensive defenceman. Dermott could very well already be more valuable. He showed great in his first half season in the NHL. Johnsson and Kapanen could score 40 goals between the two and Sparks was the best goalie in the AHL last year, (Goaltending being the biggest weakness Carolina has). A defensive defenceman isn't worth 40 goals, let alone a highly regarded young goalie and a 22 year old defencemen poised to join the top 4 in TO as soon as this season.
Pesce's value would go something like this.
Contract is a +1
Age is +1
Skill level =
Ceiling =
Need from To for a RHD +2
So lets say that give him a value of +4 (I'm kind of creating a system of valuation here)
Sparks
Contracts =
Age = (he's a little older for a prospect but not too old to make him a negative)
Skill Level =
Ceiling + 1
Dermott
Contract +1 (two more years at ELC)
Age +1 (under 22)
Skill Level +1
Ceiling +2 (he is definitely a top 4 LHD)
Dermott would have more long term value than Pesce based on the type of players they are projected to be.
Kapanen
Contract = (1 more year at ELC)
Age +1 Under 22
Skill +2
Ceiling +2
Kapanen is looking like he can be an effective top 6 winger and elite penalty killer his value is equal to Pesce
Johnsson
Contract = He is RFA so this is an unknown but won't be expensive
Age = He's 25 so he's a late bloomer
Skill +1
Ceiling +1
Johnson is still a bit of an unknown but he sure looked good last year and was a star for the Marlies
With this evaluation (Literally just made this up) I would say Sparks and Johnsson would make a fair trade for Pesce. Throw in a 3rd from TO for good measure but all 4 of those pieces is an extreme over payment.
Chris Tanev, who is currently better than Pesce, albeit a more injury prone player, (a lot of those injuries are bad luck though) would only net the Canucks a 2nd and a non roster prospect. So I think something like Sparks, Johnssson and a 3rd would be a fair price for Pesce.