Because they shelled out a lot of recourses to put together another strong third line. Lmaaaooooo you just argued against yourself. Why would Tampa go all out trading away assets to replenish that third line if they werent an essential part of why they won? They wouldnt. Why would three different gms value those three players (gourde, coleman, goodrow) so highly if they werent an essential reason why they won? they wouldnt.

The reason they went out and acquired paul and hagel (they were able to make use of a home grown player in Ross Colton) is because the previous third line was so valuable and they needed to replicate that to win.

We'll see about Kerfoot. Personally I'll be very surprised if someone gave a first for Kerfoot. But I honestly don't see Dubas selling the guy, he likes him as a trustworthy mid-6 asset.

They'll probably make a bold move in moving the 2nd overall somewhere, but the bold move they aren't doing is doing a complete favor for the Leafs for absolutely no reason.

Toronto did match their physicality lol. That series was decided by 1 goal. Toronto shutdown line held minimize Tampas stars in that series. Their stars got most of their point on the PP.

Matthews destroyed Sergachev, Mcdonagh in the corners when he was on the ice.

The Leafs played better than the Isles did against Tampa in that series and I don't think anyone can say different. Just rewatch how Toronto offence was created in comparison to Florida and the Isles in the previous year. It was through speed in the NZ and forced Tampa to play on their heels a lot during that series. Granted Vash had his best game of the series the last game but Toronto played far better than the Isles

That’s what he is here. Not like you made a team with $3.5 mil left so you could keep him.

How did I argue against myself. The 3rd line was by far on the best in the modern era but they won because their stars showed up. Plain and simple. Just look at Vash streak to close out a series of how many points Kucherov, and Point had the last 2 combined post-seasons.

Its evident they helped contribute to the back 2 back cups but they weren't the reason why they won.

I could not sign Domi and keep Kerfoot lol, but the Leafs brass said they'll tinkering around the core. Kerfoot is one of the pieces.

Once again another logic failure. You claim them to be one of the best 3rd lines of the modern era, but not a main reason as to why they won. This is a failure for two reasons:

1. Why would a team give up a first round pick for Kerfoot to play on their third line, if third lines aren’t important?
2. Why did the lightning go all out to replenish their third line if third lines aren’t important? And why is it working? Paul and Colton have been simply excellent this post season.

Obviously they aren’t the only reason Tampa is good, but neither is any one else. Hockey is a team sport. Vasy isn’t the only reason they win. Hedman isn’t the only reason they win. Kuch isn’t the only reason they win. The members of the third line are not the only reason they win. But each are an important piece of the pie.

If the lightning don’t fork out recourses to acquire Nick Paul, and instead promote one of their 4th liners or bring in some AHL scrub, they don’t beat Toronto. If Vasilevsky doesn’t stand on his head they don’t beat Toronto. Both are important.

All I’m saying is nobody is paying a 1st round pick for Kerfoot’s career year with 1 year left on his deal knowing that if they don’t move him they have cap trouble and are handcuffed with signings.

For the 18th ovr pick Dallas could get a much better player. Kerfoot isn't bad by any means but he's not worth that much.

JT Miller had term remaining. Kerfoot is a pending free agent that can go wherever he wants after next season. Big difference