do the leafs want to improve their defense or no?

Easy pass from calgary.

I don’t really like either of these deals for Buffalo anyway. I also doubt Vesey would re sign or that Buffalo wants him back.

For his cap hit (Risto) alone, we would need to juggle a ton of other pieces to make something like that work. Would Risto be a good partner for Rielly, probably not. Would he bring the grit and physicality the Leafs need absolutely.

I think his defensive game has been poor over the past couple seasons, he's still young, he will learn. I would much prefer to move Johnsson. Kerfoot has proven in these qualifying games that he wants to play, and really showed what he's worth to the team.

I've really started to like the Robertson-Kerfoot-Kappy line

Buffalo takes that Flames deal in a heart beat. A bust and a KHL player for a top prospect.

Would you trade Bennett and Klyington for Cozens. No.

That's how bad that deal is for the Flames.

Horrible flames trade

Fantastic comparison

Mittelstadt is not a bust, it’s way too early to say that. He was one year removed from playing high school hockey when he began playing in the NHL. He’s 21 years old, the fact he already has NHL experience means he’s not a bust. People are far too quick to decide a player is a bust. He would still be in college right now if the Sabres did not sign him early.

Välimäki looks pretty good, but I didn’t think he was that good. Pilut impressed me about as much when I first saw him. Which by the way you must have heard by now if you give him an NHL contract Pilut comes back to the NHL.

I dont think CM has much value right now. Kid looks like hes not going to live up to the draft billing.

When a player bolts for the KHL it's not a good sign.

A lot of European players will begin next season in the KHL or another league until the NHL season begins. Considering the Sabres last played in March and won’t play another game until December, that’s a long time to be out of game action. Pilut doesn’t have an NHL contract as an RFA right now, but would come back if he gets one. There’s a chance the Sabres even keep his rights, make a trade involving a defenseman or 2, and suddenly there’s room for him to play a 3rd pairing role regularly so they offer him a deal.

There may be a difference between how fans view a player, and how some NHL GM's view him. Last year, we traded a player of similar status (high draft pick, lackluster post draft performance), Alex Nylander, for Jokiharju, who is now a very valuable asset for us. Who's to say a similar trade can't happen with Mittekstadt?

Ok then send us Cozens for Bennett and Kyilington.

His value is limited even if he comes back.

Only limited by which team decides they want him. He’s a good skater and a decent puck mover. He fits in with any team he wants defense to jump into the offensive zone.

Hes a 24 year old undrafted D that is undersized and has 6 career points in 46 games.

Teams can easily get better in FA.

Limited value.