Hamomic is what the Leafs need, but Nylander has superstar potential. This would be similar to the Hall-Larson deal, where one team gets something they need, but give up way too much for it.

I think the leafs best bet is to go after Vatanen. They could probably get him for a package of young guys not including Marner, Nylander, Matthews.

Garbage deal, horrible value for the leafs.

The only player I realistically trade Willie straight up for would be Hampus Lindholm (and Anaheim most likely isn't doing that, but considering how there might be bad blood from their negotiations, you never know. Especially since they seem to love Fowler more and might favour Theodore and Jacob Larsson since they're supposed to be a budget team.)

Willie has had spectacularly bad shooting luck this year (while still having 30 points!), otherwise he would potentially be leading all rookies in points. He's been overshadowed by Matthews and Marner (both exceeding expectations) so people are now undervaluing him as if he were an average top prospect. He's much more valuable than a Dylan Larkin or a Sam Bennett and I wouldn't be surprised if we look back at the 2014 draft in 2-3 years and come to the conclusion that he would be the first overall pick in a redraft. I wouldn't go that far yet but he has that ceiling.

He's a special player is what I mean.

And besides, Hamonic is turning 27 in August and has been having a bad year. If anything, the Isles would be selling low on him just like the Oilers did with Taylor Hall.

The Leafs management team seems too smart to make such a misguided move. I'm so glad I can say that after over a decade of incompetence.

The last thing the Leafs should be doing anyways is trading one of their future star players away this early on, especially.

Target teams who undervalue specific players and exploit their situations whether it's regarding their cap, the Expansion Draft, or prospects they expect to come in.

Boston would be a good example.

I think Colin Miller would be a great pickup. He's a shutdown right shot defenseman whose been playing on Boston's third pairing. They've been playing Adam McQuaid and Brandon Carlo ahead of him (I think he's better than both, personally) and with McAvoy possibly coming in next year, why couldn't the Leafs try to make a trade for him? He'd be an upgrade over Marincin or Carrick and slot in perfectly with Gardiner.

You don't need GREAT (overvalued or star) defensemen when there are guys like Colin Miller who can do the job and not cost a ton.

That's what the Leafs need to do as opposed to trading away young stars.

We have Reilly, Zaitsev, and Gardiner. Another competent piece like Colin Miller and Travis Dermott probably another year away, we'll have a solid blueline that won't blow people away, but you know what? They'll get the job done. And that's all you need when you have Matthews and Marner and Nylander, and Kadri on a sweetheart deal.