But the Hawks have no use for Dermott, and Engvall is a throw in.

And let's say you take that package to Bowman for Strome - given Strome's body of work, a 2nd maybe an overpay. The potential is there sure, but moving a 2nd for potential and a $3 million deal is dicey.

cooler to have #97

The quality of competition hasn't been as high but the Sandin Dermott pairing has been the Leafs best duo. Travis is proving his worth to this team.

might be nice to see even 19 skaters in leafland, determined to try and roll with 18 guys I guess

What? In his 11 minutes last night? In an OT game? Or his 13 minutes of icetime last year? I like dermott and dont think youll get better in trade for the same salary, but dermott is very replaceable as a 3rd pairing guy.

Sandin: 72.78 xGF%
Dermott: 67.39 xGF%
Muzzin: 49.38 xGF%
Rielly: 48.4 xGF%
Brodie: 47.83 xGF%
Holl: 42.8 xGF%

How about elevating him up in the lineup then cause the rest of the dcore (except for Rielly) has been sh-t.

If anything hes putting up solid stats in sheltered minutes, I really dont think the talent level is there for more. If anything, Keefe agrees as Dermott's minutes have declined rapidly the last year and last few games.

I agree, looking at last night stats, a little scary to see the huge minutes Matthews, Marner, Muzzin, Reilly (I think the big 4 forwards got 5 minutes of PP time and no one else got more than 1, and matthews/marner played 24 minutes with 7 forwards playing 13 or less.) thats too many minutes played so early in a long season, and the lower lines and 3rd pairing needs to step up more and be given more.

Dermott is a solid 3rd pairing guy, not a physical crease clearer and not a pt producing puck rusher, but a capable 3rd pairing guy for 12-16 minutes a night and only 1.5mil. If he can be the safe veteran presence for Sandin or Liljegren: GREAT!.

BUT the way the lines and pairings are being used, its easy to look good in such limited minutes, and he is what he is: a 3rd pairing guy.

Eight teams played last night and none of them had the disparity in ice time on offense AND on defense as Toronto.

So you trade him and what are you options:
Dahlstrom (not a chance he was terrible)
Kral (looked great but no experience)
Rubins (looked great but no experience)
Menell (but then he is playing his offside)
Biega (but then he is playing his offside)

The options after Dermott are slim to none, especially if an injury happens. And Muzzin has to be dealing with something (either not fully healthy from the last injury) or something else. He has not looked good. Again Dermott is too important to trade away.

Oh, I agree there, hes the best option and as said above in my original post you're not going to get a better player for that salary. But my point was is dont expect 1st or 2nd pairing play from a 3rd pairing guy.

Do I think hes a solid 3rd pairing guy: Yes. Do I think hes Toronto's best option? Yes.

But when 8 teams played last night, none of them had the icetime disparity on defense OR offense that Toronto had. Even their opponents, NYR, had all 6 dmen play 16 minutes or more.

You and I agree that Dermott is ultimately a safe bet out there and best option for 3rd pair and capable vet for the kids, but Keefe doesn;t think so, if Dermott and his partner are getting just 11 minutes in an OT game.

if you are going after strome realistically you are moving kerfoot.

I don't feel he has ever been given the opportunity to succeed in top 4 mins. He has never gotten a prolonged look there (talking about 35-40 plus games) I don't get the love the have for Holl but as long as he is a Leaf, Dermott will never get more than 12 min a night. IMO he has more to give.

I think for the acquisition of Strome to work and not weaken Toronto elsewhere, you'd have to move futures, a small salary and ask for retention.

Something like Engvall and a 1st and 4th for Strome at 1.5mil.

You'd still have dermott as your 6th or 7th, but a 18 skater lineup is crazy and hed be a cheap (1.5mil) option at 1LW and be able to have bunting or kerfoot as 3LW and get some team depth

How do you plan to take mikheyev off ltir?

The usual silly undermanned roster. Trading an NHL Dman with getting another in return is not reasonable Why is Engvall is thought poor value at 1,2m, Dermot and 1.5m and Strome the saviour at 3m?

Lets not trade our NHL rejects for a guy who had one bad season last year and is on a team that don't know how to develop players

You seem to have this obsession that all Leafs bottom enders are not qualified to be NHLers, and that all other teams bottom enders are saviours for the Leafs.
Plus teams go with 7 NHL Dman, and certainly long term need 22 man rosters. Since you have no regard for the cap, I'm surprised you didn't sign for the Leafs every available UFA last summer.