Holl is not much value going back to the Hawks other then to fill an empty seat for this season while they continue to protect the development their RHD prospects in the AHL. I have a hard time thinking Holl gets a 3rd back at the TDL as well, but anything can happen.

Murphy is worth a late 1st and a decent #2 or really good 2nd line player. McCabe is worth a late 2nd to 3rd; he's good as a #4 or #5 guy...not someone you want on the top line.

I think the Leafs are set on D. They've got Brodie-Liljegren on the right and Rielly-Sandin on the left, with Muzzin (when healthy), Giordano, Kral, Mete, and Dahlstrom fighting for 3LD and Holl, Mete, Benn, and maaaaaaayyyybe Villeneuve fighting for the 3RD. When Niemela comes along in a few years they're even deeper.

You're correct. Like all teams, teams would love to have more depth or better quality Dmen. But so many Leaf fans are obsessed with giving up lots futures for marginal improvements .
And as you suggest, Leafs are fine on the left side. And the right side is fine when Liljgren returns and he can play to his standard of last season. Seems ridiculous to me to add a mid to large contract with term when Leafs don't know what Muzzin LTIR status this season or next season.

Sorry did you say Murphy is worth a late 1st and a #2 d man or am I reading this wrong? He’s not even a legit #2 d man himself lmao

Should have written....Murphy is worth a late 1st "as" a decent #2 dman or really good 2nd line player.

Before this year, and last year I would have agreed. However it seems like Muzzin is going to miss quite a while (Marner even made a quote saying something along the lines that hinted he might not even be able to play this year) and tbh he is looking even worse than last year (which is hard to do). With Muzzin falling off, our d core has taken a step back in terms of in zone defending, and Murphy would greatly help address that need, ranking in the top 91% for Defensive impact according to JFresh over the past 3 years while playing against top competition. In theory, Murphy would be a great d partner for Rielly and allow Brodie to play with either Sandin, who had some incredible results in short stints in the past, and also allow for Gio and Lily to stay together. Overall it would really bring the d core together and address the larger needs on our blue line, and for those who care a lot about physicallity (I don’t prioritize it but it’s a bonus), Murphy hits a lot.
McCabe isn’t as good as Murphy and is a lefty but I think he would still address the whole thing of in zone defending, and *maybe* could play RD if we want that flexibility

That makes far more sense yeah. I wouldn’t call him a legit #2 but very solid 2nd pair d man I agree. Great defensively and actually not horrid offensively (wasn’t good offensively last year but had solid results in years prior)

He had an off season last year, was struggling with back pain. But he's defensively very good and very physical...great around defending the net and playing the boards.