That is a horrible return for Braun. Also there is no reason to add those picks

I'm guessing its part of a cap dump. I am okay with it from a Leaf's fan perspective.

San Jose is veteran and the acquisition of Karlsson makes you think they are in a "win mode" now. Trading a steady Braun for the iffy Leivo and future Bracco doesn't seem to be in the direction they would go. Especially if junior Merkley is the needed replacement for Braun.

As a Leafs fan, I like the deal, but I would agree with those above that think Sharks are overpaying here. It would likely need to include Carrick as a RD option to replace Braun, since there is no way Merkely is ready.

You start with a nice idea -- San Jose is very questionable on the left side. You should be looking at teams like Arizona, which has 6 quality LW's, or Carolina, virtually every one of whose forwards is left-handed. Braun would bring a better return than you have here, particularly with the Coyotes, who have only 2 natural RD's. Try again!

Look at the depth issues they have up front though. This would allow them to add some skilled depth without taking much away from their stacked D? I agree that it is highly unlikely but it's not the worst idea. I actually don't really get why they traded for Karlsson to begin with. Keeping him is going to mean they will have to gut their forwards next season and then some. If you look at their cap situation they need to sign something like 10 players and have 20 million to do it. One of those players is Karlsson and another is Pavelski.

Bad trade. Justin Braun is a top 4 right handed defenseman.