You’re better off giving the Hamonic contract to DeMelo.

Nylander for Ellis 1 for 1 is bad, whatever the **** I just saw is horrible.

Or keeping Holl, who is better on paper and cheaper then both of them

Nylander is not worth Ellis

Honestly, I see a lot of people talking about Demelo, but I do not see him at the same level as Hamonic on a defensive standpoint. Hamonic can play a great shutdown role which is important for the Leafs right now and he has been a proven top 4 guy with Calgary. I think his presence would help out playing with Muzzin a lot.

Most Nashville fans I've talked to would say he probably is, but it's not a great trade for the leafs. Ellis will likely need to be bought out someday. Very Seabrook-esque.

I have liked the play of Holl a lot this year... but I am hesitant on if he can keep it up. To be honest, his last 15-20 games or so were not like the first half of the year. He did play strong alongside Muzzin, but Hamonic provides consistency and a proven, strong defenceman if the Leafs want to truly push for the cup

Well if we look at the analytics he played exceptionally well all year. Even down that final strech without Rielly and Muzzin he was still a solid defensive performer. He also has a great contract. It makes 0 sense to move him. I get Hamonic has a more proven track record, but Holl was better this year on a worse defense. Also, that 2.2m could be invested elsewhere on the team.

Toronto has been searching for a D man who can play alongside Reilly for years. If Ellis would be able to play that role perfectly for the next two seasons, even if he has to be bought out in the last year of his contract, I would willingly do It if it means the hockey world gets to witness the Leafs hoist the cup. The Leafs have been so focused on the years to come for too long now, I think it is time to invest in the team right now, and push for the cup now, and worry about the consequences when they arrive.

How is Ellis Seabrook-esque? He has never been slow like Seabrook or use his body like Seabrook -- they play completely different styles. Seabrook's wears on the body, whereas Ellis's will likely allow him to still play as he gets older. Two completely different players. And Ellis's contract is cheaper -- so as the cap goes up over the next 5 years, it will not be the same burden that Seabrook's contract has become. And a 28 year old signing an 8 year contract is much better than a 31 year old signing one. Ellis and Seabrook are not the least bit comparable.

I agree they don't play similar styles, but even skilled 2-way guys often fall off by 34 or 35, and ask Pittsburg how easy it is move their 2-way overpaid defensemen.

The contract only takes Ellis to 36 (and he turns that age half way through his final year), so even if he starts to decline at 35 I'd be perfectly happy with the Ellis contract.

Edmonton and Nashville can not take on more salary, they have cap issues also.

DeMelo has actually been much better defensively than Hamonic this season. He finished in the 85th percentile out of 100 for expected goals against, Hamonic was in the 2nd which is horrible. Holl has been better than Hamonic as well on the defensive end ranking in the 67th percentile in expected goals against. If you are going to target a Calgary defenseman, I suggest TJ Brodie. He can play the right side & is very good.

You are right, he's worth a great deal more.

More ridiculous RHD fascination that the Leafs have to overpay. Leafs get two RHD, at the cap cost of 10.8m. Rather have two NHL regulars Holl and Dermot plus the potential of Liljegren for 5m.
Leafs lose on every trade, and it's another unworkable 21 man roster

Why do people think the Leafs defensemen are so bad? Next season they aren't going to have the 2 worse Dman this season...Barrie and Ceci
And Nashville for all their high profile and high cost Dman, Ellis, Jost and Ekholm allowed eight just eight fewer goals than the Leafs. Really think it's worth dismantling the team for the Ellis and the very ordinary Hamonic?

oilers pass

Maybe. I'm just not convinced Ellis will push us over the edge, and I'm not willing to give up more then Nylander for him.

I think Brodie or another FA could work as a stopgap until Sandin and Liljegren are ready for top-4 roles. Sandin will be elite in 2-3 years, and although Lily has taken his sweet time devloping he's looking like he will be a solid 2nd pairing defensemen. I'm not sure if Ellis is in the long term picture. Nylander certainly is.

Habs counter with Alzner for a 7th

Montreal rejects. We have no space for Holl