I like your style sir! Defense may be a tad weak still but who knows.

I like Jarnkrok but I don't think this is enough to get the team over the hump. Playing Sandin or Liljegren in our top-6 next year is a huge jump, neither may be ready, and neither one looked good last year. Keefe played Martin Marincin in the post-season when Muzzin went down, what does that tell you?

You can't keep them in the minors forever. They will continue to lose value if you do that. Sandin makes the team out of camp imo. Liljgren is likely a trade piece unless they think Lehtonen can play top 4 minutes.

All decent trades.

I like where you are headed with it. I think yarnkrok is a bit undersized for what we need from out 3c. If we went after Paval Zacha it would be a better fit. I think Sandin is ready for a 3rd pair roll. I felt Marincin was used in the playoffs because he is a big body who could play similar to Muzzin. Lilegren might be ready. They could be used well as a 3rd pair. They have played a lot together and would be more comfortable starting together that with a new partner. Only time will tell

Obviously you can't. However they are 20 and 21. How many defenceman make the NHL by that age? The answer is not many. If they were North American players, Sandin would have been in JR last year and Liljegren would have been first year AHL. Nobody would be assuming to pencil them in to the top-6. Because they have been in the AHL for years already, I think people tend to want them promoted quicker when their development cycle is still off. Defenceman take longer to make the NHL than forwards, once they're ready you want them to stick. The only guys who play D as sub-20 year olds are the top-5 picks.

It was pretty clear from watching them last year they were not ready. Now, what I think Dubas will do is create enough depth that he doesn't NEED either one to be ready next year. If they play their way into a spot and force the issue, great. If not, you still have capable players to play. Wouldn't you rather them earn a spot from an established NHL player then be handed one if they are not ready?

I think Sandin would be earning a spot. He has to get past Dermott and Lehtonen, both are guys who are able to play a solid top 6 role.

Liljgren it's harder to predict depending on what the leafs decide to do with Lehtonen. If Lehtonen plays top 4 minutes, you could argue Liljgren may step into the bottom pair. However, if Lehtonen is put in a third pairing role on the right side, with Sandin or Dermott on the left, I don't think Liljgren makes the team anyways. That is why I see him as a possible trade peice.

I just think you have to create a scenario where they have to earn it. Don't put them in the lineup right now, make them earn it. Set it up like this:

Rielly-????
Muzz-Holl
Derms-Lehtonen/Cheap UFA

Give Sandin and Liljegren chances to take those other jobs away. If Dermott doesn't win a job, you can move him. If you sign a cheap UFA to compete for the 3rd pair, try to keep the salary low enough you could bury him in the AHL(or most of it). But create competition and depth instead of assuming rookies are going to be playing NHL quality hockey all season on a playoff contender.