Quoting: LeafsFanForSomeReason
And that's what they are doing. As I said, the Leafs three top picks in the last three years are all potentially graduating. Robertson made (and will probably continue to do so) guys expendable - though I don't think that was the case with Kapanen; he was movable anyways. Sandin is on his way up the left side rankings, Dermott has been often suggested in trade already with his emergence and he's only going to get better from here. Liljegren is on his way up.
Your third line describes the Leafs current situation; they've locked their core up and will try to cycle guys in and out of the low-end of the lineup through drafting and developing, as well as overseas signings (Mikheyev, Lehtonen, Barabonov). They have 3 prospects competing for roster spots in addition to the #15OA pick and 10 others this upcoming draft as well as other guys who are currently in development.
If they do move other players like Johnsson or Dermott, I would imagine that the deals would look somewhat like yours - they try to clear cap and recoup picks/futures, just as they did with Kapanen, to develop those pieces over time so they can hopefully factor into the lineup when it's time for the next wave of guys to move out.
It just seems like you are advocating for something that they are already doing.
I am not saying the Leafs are not doing that, I just think they should keep doing that.
What I like most about the Leafs management in recent years is that they don't rush players in the NHL like other teams tend to do.
So realisticly, those are NHL arivals in my opinion (if they should make it to the NHL)
2020 Liljegren, Sandin, Robertson
2021 Hallander (or 2022)
2022
2023 Abramov, Kokonen
2024 Abruzzese, Woll, Scott
What you invest now will maybe pay dividends in 2-4 years, not right now, which is why I hope they keep invest in the future