You’re completely ignoring the fact that multiple teams will be on Leddy, which elevates his return by itself. I totally get what you’re saying man, I do... but you’re ignoring the CURRENT market.

We'll see man, we'll see. Markets for dmen are always there. Every year. Nothing changes this year other than the cap is apparently not going to be as much as GMs would hope. Meaning not everyone can afford a 5.5M dman.

I'm not debating whether Leddy can be traded. He most certainly can and quite possibly will. I'm debating your valuation of him and what you think GM's will be willing to give for him. If the cost is the 15th overall, I think in the current NHL climate, teams will look elsewhere.

Unless they fear guys like Gardiner are going to cost 7m a year and would rather take the CAP security of acquiring someone like Leddy and his CAP hit, especially given the CAP might not be as high as originally though.

Hmm pay 1.5M more for Gardiner than you would Leddy and keep the 15th overall pick or save 1.5M but lose the 15th overall pick.....I know my choice. Even if the player you get isn't as good as Leddy, keeping that pick is paramount over the difference in talent you may not be getting. Once again, my opinion.

Yes, but Gardiner is also going to cost you 7 years (till his mid 30s) when he may not be productive, while Leddy will only cost you 3 years until he’s 31 and still productive.

Is that difference worth the 15th overall pick to you? That is the only question you need to answer. It isn't for me so it changes nothing on that end. Players can be traded, bought out, play well into their 30's etc etc. You can't just get another top end draft pick when ever you want.

Yes, it is. They can play out into their late 30s, but the later into those 30s they get the faster they tend to decline. Leddy and Gardiner are the same age... Leddy is more likely to remain as productive as he has been until he’s 31, than Gardiner is till he’s 35/36.

If that's worth the 15th overall pick to you than that's your prerogative I guess.