That's a terrible trade. JVR is worth more than Bieksa

Agree the trade is Terrible as for the lineup Gauthier probably won't be up next year after the injury so they will need Fehr

Polak doesn't deserve 3 Mill but its a one year contract so if he's too slow/old by next year, peacee.
I chose to keep Bozak for his final year of his contract. He can win faceoffs.

Realistically, JVR is not going to fetch a young stud D. He is on an expiring contract and most teams will offer a couple of picks/low-level prospects. Trading him for PK specialist Bieksa (overpaid, but on expiring contract) is worth it for leafs, who are dry in that position. Maybe leafs can get Anaheim to sweeten the deal by adding a 3/4th pick, but players like Manson, Montour, Vatenen? Not happening. I wish though.

There would be a lot of movement between the 4th and "5th" lines as most are rookies and still need to develop. Ben Smith will play a lot of 4th line duties when the Goat is sitting/hurt. As for Fehr, I can only see him as an emergency replacement.

JVR for Bieksa is an awful trade, you might as well let JVR play out his contract as he is a much more valuable player then Bieska. Bieksa would basically play the same role as Polak (who you over paid) so there really is no point and having both of them. Even the second option you mention of getting picks and prospects is better then getting Bieksa, picks and prospects might turn into something or be able to used in other trades. Ben Smith is a AHL calibre player and his expansion draft eligibility is his only usefullness, the leafs should be looking at options to fill the 4c position and bury him in the AHL.

Just because he is on a expiring contract doesn't mean JVR has little value. He is only 28 years old. People make it sound like a jvr is a player on his last legs. If the leafs do trade JVR I'm sure what ever team he was traded to would be talking about extending is contract before the trade gets finalized. The only way the leafs or any other team take Bieksa is a 1st and prospect are coming with him.

First, Bieska is not going to waive his NMC to accept to the Leafs. Period. With Gauthier injured and Boyle really not wanting to sign with the Leafs, Fehr is likely the 4th or 5th centre. Don't know why so many Leaf fans think Leivo, Leipsic and Rychel can suddenly play big minutes at Left Wing.

Bieksa is literally a cap dump for the Ducks so there's no reason for that trade. Period. I would rather have JVR and keep the same D core. Fehr is a lot better than Smith and probably Gauthier too, The Leafs will either resign Boyle or look for another alternative