Quoting: YoungNHLgm
Comparing the Tavares signing to acquiring Spurgeon has no similarities really. Tavares cost the Leafs nothing other than a contract to get, getting Spurgeon would cost them a young roster player which arguably doesn't improve them a great deal. Sure Spurgeon would fit the #2 spot RHD they'd like, but it also weakens the offence if Nylander is they main piece to go. Now I understand that sometimes to strengthen one aspect of the team, they'd have to weaken another, yes of course, but giving up a 23 year old who has proven to produce outside of one 6 month span for a 30 year old d-man doesn't make a whole lot of sense for Toronto. I think if the package started with Kapanen, it'd likely be a lot closer. Nylander has a far more offensive upside impact to his game and it would arguably be a greater impact than Spurgeon's 3-4 years of defence, since Nylander could develop into a 1C for 10+ seasons.
As for other defensive options, there's definitely some out there that are much better suited for giving up Nylander than Spurgeon. Carolina has multiple right handed d-man that could fit, Ekblad has also been a name thrown around closely with Toronto, Pietrangelo could be a UFA next season and would turn into a Tavares situation where all it costs Toronto is a contract to get him. Leafs management is smart. They wouldn't risk the long term, consistent success for 1 or 2 seasons of it. They've preached that since day 1.
You're taking what I was saying out of context, though. I'm not trying to say that acquiring Spurgeon is the same thing as signing Tavares, I'm saying that in a theoretical sense, having two guys age 30 signed until they are 35 isn't ideal, since that was what we were talking about. I was only using their age as a comparison since I've constantly heard from Leafs fans how Spurgeon is too old yet he isn't even a year older than Tavares.
As for a Spurgeon trade, I'm not sure Kapanen would be the target. We need a 1C and Kapanen is a winger. I love Kapanen, don't get me wrong, though. I think Nylander for Spurgeon 1 for 1 is fair assuming Spurgeon signs an extension, but Toronto would want another younger piece in addition to Spurgeon I'd imagine. We could offer Eriksson Ek who looked awesome the last 2-3 months of the season (and yes, I realize his point totals have been awful, but seriously he looked really good as a 2C and even on the wing). Otherwise, we might be willing to part with Greenway who would fit Toronto's needs of a power forward with upside. I think if Greenway were included then Toronto would have to add a bit, though. Also, you're assuming that Nylander would remain on the Leafs after his contract is up. Sure, he could be a 1C for 10+ seasons, but he's only signed for 5 before becoming a UFA. Maybe he walks in free agency, maybe he doesn't. He's not an RFA anymore so Toronto only "controls" him for 5 more years, not 10+.
You're right, there are options out there, but I can't see Carolina moving Pesce after his playoff performance and Faulk and Hamilton aren't anywhere near as good as Spurgeon defensively. Ekblad could be an option, but why would Florida move him? They don't have anyone in the pipeline on the right side that could be a 1RD. Pietrangelo is probably their best bet but that's assuming he'd hit free agency and the Blues chose not to re-sign him.