Pionk is no closer to being a top pair RD than Liljegren

The system where dmen flourish in Nashville is being changed with Trotz and Brunette. We don't have space for any more LHD, even if Brodie can play on the off-hand.

I want to see if we can squeeze more out of Novak. His shooting% was high, but he's only making 800k and he's RFA controlled. There are teams that have holes in the C position.

EDIT: Novak is not RFA controlled. Whoops. Still cheap though.

Pionk is far more credible as a top pairing dman than Liligren. Ideally Pionk is a second pairing but the leafs don’t get that luxury

More credible cause he's older? Hes a pretty average player, not sure why they would trade Lily and a first for him. I'd take Demelo over Pionk all day and pay way less

I was going to correct you on the Novak RFA status but you’re right, if they hold onto him than he could potentially get them more. His cap hit makes him much more attractive.

You can always make your own armchair trade for Demelo, but he doesn’t fit the D Core I put together. Demelo is a shutdown dman and Pionk is defensively sound and can move the puck up. In the case Reilly gets injured I rather have Pionk than Demelo on the pp

Kings are trading Arvidsson to clear his full cap hit if they do so, so you’re either taking him at his full 4.25 or it’s no deal.

Steeves is also uninteresting. Peska is a recent signing so that doesn’t work, and Toronto doesn’t exactly have other intriguing prospects in the areas LA would be interested (LD and G), so just make that a pick instead.

More a case of Leaf fans hating their own. There isn't a world where Pionk is better than LIlijegren.....what a terrible trade. Lily is cheaper and has hope.