Kyle Dubas has made it clear he prefers NHL ready prospects to picks in order to quicken the re-build. In Niemela and Steeves, the Pens are getting two of the Leafs best and most ready to play. Were they not dealt, it is likely they would either start the year with the big club (Steeves) or at the very worst be there by the end of it (Niemela). Abruzzese is points in a can but the rest of his game is limited. He is not the focus of this deal but has his uses on the PP. Like the prospects, Kampf is a known quantity who is a quality penalty killer and keeps the puck in the offensive zone.

The Leafs move on from a pair of highly regarded prospects who would likely have made the team next season as part of a package to free up more cap space.