this move makes too much sense

Don't think the Leafs have any interest. Nothing in there would be worth them moving on from Niemala for. Hell, Hoglander is an AHLer this season on a bad Canucks team who's going to lose his waiver exempt status next season. He's next to valueless. He isn't an answer for any playoff team this season and next season you could pay very little to skip the waiver line to get him if you are all that interested.

Hoglander has been in the minors because the Canucks have too many wingers currently. Better for him to play 1st line in the AHL instead of bottom 6 minutes in the NHL and lose confidence. Saying he has next to no value is wrong, considering he’s had some success in the NHL already and is just 22, and has outperformed his draft spot

Well thats the thing, the Canucks have too many wingers. Hoglander hasn't had any success as a bottom 6 winger, his game isn't suited to it at all, and the Canucks have 5 or 6 guys above him on the depth chart. He's going to be put through waivers again next season when a team could have him for free or next to. There's very little value there and definitely not someone like Niemala who's expected to be an NHL player.

The reality with Hoglander is he had an ok rookie season but has been worse every season since. He's a very small winger who's having a lot of trouble playing at the NHL level. His future as an NHL player is in doubt and he likely needs more time in the AHL to figure it out. Problem is he needs waivers to get there so a team could have him for free next year. His return is going to look like what Connor Timmins got if someone wants to jump the waiver line.

He’s still ineligible for waivers. If he plays 2 more NHL games this season he becomes waiver eligible. Possibly a reason they’re keeping him down right now. But yes he definitely has gotten worse from his rookie year (although it seemed like Bruce wasn’t a fan of him, hoping he improves under Tocchet)

On a somewhat related note, as a Leafs fan what would you say Robertson’s value is?

Robertson's value is nil right now and Hoglander needs 2 more games to be waiver eligible this season, next year he ages out after 3 pro seasons. He's going to need them next season regardless of what the Canucks do.

I must’ve read what I saw about Hoglander’s waiver eligibility wrong then, wasn’t aware of that. I still think he’d hold decent value though (maybe some personal bias but he is top 10 from his draft class in points, and has proven to be a skilled player) I think he’s been used incorrectly the last two seasons and would thrive in a top 6 role

You may be correct in saying his trade value is down but there is zero chance a team could get him for free next season. He has proved that he is a legit NHL and won’t be getting waived and losses for nothing.