Edited Feb. 5, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.
Quoting: Scooter81
That’s true but however, rumors have came out that if the Leafs would want to acquire another top 6 player on of Knies or Holmberg would be in the deal.
Holmberg makes sense to include in a trade like this as well. Dubas said he won't trade Knies for a rental, so let's assume this is a sign and trade, with Larkin taking 8mx8. For next year, that means they will be getting Larkin in lieu of Bunting essentially, they will still have a hole in the top 6, they lose the cheap Sandin, who will also need to be replaced. So, it will likely be their one and only chance to win a cup in the next few years.
If they keep Knies and Robertson for 1/2LW, then they would just need to get a top 4 D on a budget as well as the bottom 6 having to be super cheap. Slightly, better chance but not promising still. Maybe taking back Zadina for the bottom 6 would help cap wise since it's just a slight increase in cap on Sandin.
To me there isn't a good match where the Leafs benefit from adding Larkin and the Detroit benefits from trading him. A Timo Meier trade would make much more sense since it fits the Leafs need better, they want a LH shot and having a PWF is probably what they need. Wouldn't cost the Leafs more than Knies+two 1sts.