Quoting: Bf3351
Because the Leafs window for a cup is open and it won't be forever.
Just because your cup window is open doesn't mean you can't develop your youngsters. Look at the Blues, gave guys like Thomas and Dunn and even Binnington big roles on their way to a cup. The caps gave Vrana, Wilson, Djoos, etc. The Penguins before that gave guys like Guentzel, Sheary, Dumoulin, Murray opportunities. Developing prospects isn't hindering your cup window, it makes your cup chances even better when your in-house prospects develop over fringe UFAs.
Quoting: Bf3351
You obviously dont know anything about Muzzin. He's not like all the other greedy players on the Leafs. GMs love him.
If the Leafs want to win a cup then they will need solid experienced 4th liners. Hence Lewis and Martin. Who is cheaper than them and better? Martin isn't great I know that but he plays a good physical game and back it up Leafs need toughness. Lewis is a 2 time cup winner that won't cost much.
Shattenkirk went bad because he played on a horrible Rangers team where nobody was great offensively. Just keep watching him. He'll keep producing. It's worth it and close to harmless. At 4.5x2 if it doesn't work out someone will give him a shot and trade.
Just because Muzzin is a good teammate/leader doesn't mean he wants to get paid. He also hasn't negotiated a contract in 5 years and it's the general consensus around the league that he's underpaid. 3.5 is ABSURDLY low for Muzzin.
Paying 2.5 million for 2 4th liners isn't ever a good idea. You can find cheap depth, like the Leafs have done this year. Timashov, Shore, Gauthier, Spezza, Petan, Agostino, Aberg, all these guys are signed for less than 850k and they're 4th liners who are more skilled than Lewis and Martin. That's why Dubas signed them: cheap depth to compete for 4th line roles.
If you're serious about your "cup window", than paying 4.5 million in salary to a bad player is going to hurt you a whole lot more than playing Sandin and Dermott, which is what you said earlier. Dermott is already better than Shattenkirk, Sandin could be as soon as next year.