But they couldn't, because why would a team want to help out the Leafs?

That LA trade is way off. If dubas could have given up less for Marleau he would have. Teams knew they had to do it right at the draft. Odds are dubas would have traded down anyways.

Only to waste Korshkov....

This idea that Toronto needs anything less then a top pair rhd for next season needs to get squashed. We have our 2nd and third pair rhd signed for the next few years.

I thought the Leafs overpaid...but not by that much in the Marleau trade.
But in hindsight would Carolina been better having 6.25m in cap space so they could have improved their team this year? That first rounders isn't going to help them next year, maybe not for years if ever.
Especially in the Canes miss the playoffs, you could say it was bad trade by Carolina.

Just to add. I thought we might get a break after last night. Still seeing trades that Hutchinson and Ceci "have to go" at any cost.

Yup. Show me a “reasonable” trade that works for the leafs this year and next. I have seen them. But this isn’t it.

Good to see Ceci and Marincin playing well enough that they aren't "being noticed". Doesn't seem to satisfy the haters though. Interesting that Marincin and Ceci are trusted to be on the PK, with the Barrie/Reilly pairing isn't used on PK unless absolutely necessary. Four goals against in the past three games, Hutchinson in one of those games, on a great run in the past five weeks....still not good enough for some.