Why is Washington giving up a first for a bottom pair defenseman and a third string goalie?

They're not. They are giving up a first for Toronto to take on Orpik's contract. That Contract is a gross over payment and in the off-season (and maybe even the TDL) Washington is going to need that cap space for other players. It may even give them enough room to keep Alzner. Marincin and Bibeau are only in the trade to fill out spots on the depth chart left vacant by Orpik and Vanecek.

Even though Orpik's contract might make him overpaid with the current salary cap, he has been a productive player this season and I highly doubt the Caps will trade his spot on the roster for Martin Marincin. If this trade happens, it will be in the offseason - and I doubt the pick would be a 1st rounder. Orpik, while overpaid, has been a better overall player than Marincin this year, while Vanecek is a much more highly touted prospect than Bibeau. The Leafs have more than enough money to throw away on the lost men on Robidas Island - why not use some of that cap space on a semi productive veteran who can be a strong presence in the room? Orpik would be a huge upgrade character wise from any of the vets lying around in Toronto - Polak, McElhinney, Hunwick.

If these two teams do eventually make an Orpik-related trade this offseason, I think it will be closer to Orpik+Vanecek straight up for a 3rd or 4th rounder on draft day

Grigorenko would be a small upgrade over Smith and Gauthier offensively, but he really doesn't have a defensive presence. The leafs don't need the extra 5 goals/assists he MAY produce, the D the other 2 guys supply is much more valuable.

The Pesce trade is what it is. If you believe in Pesce it looks good, if your higher on Kapanen it doesn't...

Polak Trade: *finally he's gone*

WSH Trade: Orpik's contract is finished by the time Marner&Matthews ELC's are up, so not a huge issue there. My whole thinking here is: Is what you COULD be spending that 5.5 on worth Washington's 1st? (this assumes Marincin&Bibeau equal Vanecek)

I'm kind of indifferent on this question. Even though the 1st is late, its still a 1st... it could also be used in a trade

The PC opinion in leaf land at this time is: Don't make a big (risky) trade for a D man right now, be patient, Draft and Develop your D men (and all players really)

Right now the leafs fans are thinking they MUST draft a Dman with their 1st pick... last three 1st picks have been Forwards, we are super deep with Forwards, we need D!!!

It's not good to be handcuffed like that at the draft. Also, I believe management will still draft BPA (best player available). Further, 1st round Dmen will take 1-4 years to be effective in the NHL. Due to these 2 reasons, I don't think its the worst idea to improve our D before the draft.

If we get a player like Pesce (no shattenkirk type pickup, but still an upgrade) that decreases our desperation for D help, and increases our "freedom" at the draft.

If Peace is that good as an NHL Dmen, why do our Conference playoffs opponents trade him to the Leafs? especially for a "future." Doubt if the Caps who are definite Cup contenders trade Orpik at least this season for futures.
The Leafs need Dmen this season why trade Polak a "Calgary needs help on D and Polak can stand behind their puck movers and protect the net." So. don't the Leafs?

Oggsford Blues: Unless you know have been in the Leafs room how would you know that Orpik would be huge upgrade wise over Polak McElhinney and Hunwick? Want Orpik on the team OK, but to make reasons for the trade of which you have no knowledge....C'mon. Though I like your offseason trade.

Kapanen isn't necessarily a future on the Carolina team that struggles to score. Polak and Marchenko more or less play he same role and Marchenko is younger and still has a year left on his contract so I don't think the Leafs should keep him. Also, Kapanen is the only player of real value to the Leafs leaving the organization in these trades so they continue the process, while speeding it up a little.

Oggsford: I'd be ok with that trade happening in the off-season but I wouldn't downgrade it that much; the cap space that Washington gains is more valuable to them than a low 1st is a weak draft year.

Carolina isn't in the leafs division... (Other than a wildcard scenario) the leafs wouldn't play Carolina until the Conference finals... Are teams not aloud to trade within the conference anymore? That's a terrible and irrelevant reason not to trade someone (CHI and STL not trading makes more sense)

Is this what Carolina says to that trade?
"Nah we can't trade Pesce to the leafs, we might be playing them in the conference finals in 2020!!!!"

I agree the Orpik trade would be after the season... But why would Washington trade a 3rd pairing, old, and rapidly declining D man for $5.5 million in cap space???? hmmmm not sure... If they ARE in a win now mode, trading futures for cap space sounds reasonable

And few teams would be willing and able to take on that contract, so yeah taking it comes with a premium

Kapanen isn't a future? Well he's i injured till the end of March and he is an AHLer.....yea that's future
Jim: I usually don't usually worry about where a player is traded, but it's a fact that Leafs are in competition with the Flyers and Carolina for the 7th and 8th wild card. (along with Ottawa, Boston. And Pesce is an NHLer and Kapanen won't be this year.
I'm saying the Washington wouldn't trade Orpik this year for futures. They need him now, He is a competent Dman right now. Personally I don't like the idea of the Leafs taking him on, but maybe a team like Arizona might especially with Datsyuk and Pronger coming off their "cap" next year.