Actually I thought Kerfoot was a logical candidate for trade. His 750,000 salary for the year after his 2,750,000 bonus was paid would have made him attractive to some teams.
But Kerfoot has M NTC list. In a cap strapped league, it's really difficult to trade a player without taking equal cap back in a trade. And even if a team with cap is willing...the M NTC might come in effect. (Muzzin is a M NTC next season which might make him untradable)
We know the Winnipeg is team with most players have listed as "no trade" team.
Now I admit Kerfoot for DeMelo makes sense, if the Leafs feel DeMelo is a big enough improvement over Holl or Liljgren to make the move. (I don't but that is subjective). But the other factor as Leaf fan, I would hate to lose Kerfoot because if there is an injury to Matthews or Tavares, the Leafs don't have any centres with "offensive flair) to take over at 2C.

Sorry for the late response it's my weekend with the kids and had to get them too sleep. In my last response I meant to write I would rather have Demelo for only 1 more year instead of committing more future capspace to someone like Murphy.

I agree Kerfoot seemed like a logical trade piece this last offseason and that's part of my point this fromt office hasn't showin the willingness to make the uncomfortable trades needed to put this team in a better spot to compete. What did the 92-93 blue jays and the 2019 raps have in common?... thwir FO made the uncomfortable trades needed to put their teams over the top. IMO MLSE cleanse house this offseason and we get a FO and coaching staff who actually hold players accountable.

Muzzin is untradable because he can't stay healthy moreso than because of his modified NTC next year IMO.

Demelo and Holl are both similar in the fact they can both play 20mins a night against the oppositions 2nd and 3rd best lines but Demelo is signed to a reasonable deal for next year whereas Holl is not and will likley cost more. Also, Demelo uses his size to his advantage more/better than Holl and this team needs that for the playoffs. I'm not talking about goons or him dropping the gloves just utilizing his size more to our advantage during on ice play. It's more about the cost certainty going forward and the fact I don't think we should be big head hunting this deadline. This isn't our year and IMO we'd be better served building up the floor/depth of this team for next years run rather than chasing big stars and Demelo fits that bill. I'm only going to bat for him for the same reasons you do for Holl and I do for Rielly.

Keefoot doesn't really have that much offensive flare but I get your point. Personally I think this core needs a shake up though. People talk about continuity with the raps different than the leafs because that core has won whereas this core hasn't made it out of the first round in 6 tries and counting. We have a good team but even you must admit we should have seen more changes by now.