Ducks isn't doing that deal cause two picks can't play RHD now. Why expose Carrick?. The purpose of acquiring Manson is to build up the Leaf defence, not to let one go. Leafs can easily go 4 and 4 for protection purposes.

Who do you expose? What about those picks?

Leafs protect Reilly, Gardiner and Carrick on defence.
Leafs protect JVR, Brown and Kadri at forwards. That Leafs Martin, Komarov, and Bozak, Fehr exposed. Though I like all four you only lose one. And I don't think Vegas would claim Komarov, Bozak, Fehr who only have one year left on their contracts. And so three Leafs youngsters....Leipsic, Leivo and Rychel. I'm don't think they are worthy NHLer never mind protecting. At most you lose just one.

So if the Leafs can make a deal to get a another teams 4th or 5th Dman, they could go 4 F, 4 D, or even 3F, 5D. If no deals are made, are the Leafs protect 7 forwards, then Komarov, Bozak, Martin and Leivo might be protected.

Leafs should protect Bozak and Komarov so they have to protect Leips, Leivs. Maybe should make deal with Vegas so they pick Martin for a pick - we get to keep D's

aus3kun: I see you're in Latvia. I don't know if get to see much Marlie or any AHL play. But scoring points in the AHL does not necessarily relate to being an NHLer. I have seen Leipsic on TV and live and while a cute AHLer I doubt if he has the smarts and strength to be an NHLer. At at age 23 with three AHL seasons, he is more of a suspect than prospect.
Take a look at AHL scoring. Many of the top scorers are veteran AHLers who could not carve out even a short career in the NHL. I have this discussion with Leaf fans who are memorized by their own prospects too.
Good luck to Leipsic by logistically and as someone who has seen his play, he should not be protected and I doubt if makes any significant contribution to any NHL team.
I'm not saying Martin should be protected, but he does serve a purpose in the NHL. He doesn't hurt his team with his play when he's on the ice. So if Vegas selects him fine, but certainly don't have to give up a pick, so there are no Dmen really worth protecting besides Carrick, Reilly and Gardiner. Leafs have to expose one.....Marincin. Marchenko who cares. Hunwick and Polak are UFA, and Zaitsev are exempt.

Let's say they are going 5+3, That leaves Leivo, isn' he worth protecting? And we are not talking about 30year old AHL veterans here. Sure the numbers do not translate, but given the oportunity they might. Skill over brute force - especially in modern NHL

aus3kun: By NHL standards, Leivo is very suspect of being an NHLer. Four years of pro, and hardly seeing any NHL time....a long shot to be a NHL difference maker. Though if I was Vegas he would probably be the guy that I would select.

The Leafs have three youngish forwards who may/may not be protected. Leivo, Leipsic, Rychel. All have about the same change of being NHLers. Since the Leafs can't protect all three, leave all three available, since you lose just one. I think you misinformed about the protection numbers Not counting goalies, a team can protect up to 10 players. 10F, 0D, 9,1 8, 2, 7, 3. But once you start protecting 4 defensemen the total can only be 8. So 4F,4D, 3F, 5D, 2F, 6D,