Someone please explain this one to me... He's a slightly large defenseman with fairly poor possession numbers, barely any offensive contributions and at 27 he is what he is... Why would the Leafs pay this much for a bottom six defenseman?

Because your assessment of him is wrong. What's a "bottom six" defenseman by the way? There are only 6? Aren't all defenseman bottom 6? Keep in mind. This is essentially paying nothing. Both Robertson and Liljegren are RFAs without contracts. You are only trading their rights. They are not signed to contracts. Whereas Whitecloud is locked in long term at a very good price. Currently, he would be Toronto's 2nd best D man behind Rielly. And their best defensive D man. He would slot in beside Rielly on the top pair, and it would be the best top pair Toronto has had in the Matthews Marner era.

This is REALLY bad for Toronto...

If you are Toronto, you are getting AT BEST a 4th defender. But realistically he should be a VERY GOOD bottom pairing guy, or an average to below average middle pairing guy. His numbers are lackluster.

And what you are giving up...
a young RHD with top 4 upside, looked very comfortable this year in a larger role. Like his numbers are better than Whitecloud... he's younger...
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE.
ANOTHER RHD with top 4 upside, Topi has been looking great in the Marlies. Kids only 22, there is a reason why he was the asked for a lot of rentals to toronto the last 2 seasons.
We should get Billy Mays in.. Cuz we're not done yet!
A middle 6 guy, who has not looked out of place in the top 6 on the STACKED leafs...

So you're essentially suggesting a barely second pairing guy is equal to a top prospect, a young RHD who is seemingly growing into his own, and a middle 6 forward(one of which doesn't look out of place in the top 6)


Did you forget more assets from Vegas' side?

I wouldn't do this either. I kinda like Whitecloud but this is too much.

Well said, although I'm sure the usual suspects are just itching to saunter in and say our prospects and players suck and Vegas gets ripped off here.🤣

Second best defenseman behind Rielly?? Are you high?!?! Go look at all his stats, including possession stats. He has worse stats than Benoit on an arguably better defensive team? And as RFA's they have more control over their contracts than a UFA. None of this deal makes any sense for the Leafs. Terrible tbh.

Also, when I say bottom six I mean the bottom pairing guys or guys on the fringe of AHL/NHL. Top 4 D, top 6 D and bottom 6 D is how I've always kind of looked at it.

As Leaf fan, everything in your comment is beyond ridiculous. Liljegren is a borderline NHLer at best and thats al he will ever be. Has has his spot in the line up taken by Benoit. Right now Liljegren is the Leafs 9th D man behind Timmins and Gio. And will be gone after this season. Leafs will be lucky to get a low level draft pick for him. Same goes for Robertson. I am higher on Robertson then Liljegren. But Robertson currently has 3rd line offensive ability at best mixed with AHL defensive skills. And has no spot in the line up. Could he go to bottom feeder team and play on the first line and score 20 goals and be a minus 10 or 15 over the course of a year. Sure. But right now, his value is maybe a 2nd round pick. Topi is a prospect. Just that. This is essentially the equal of paying a 1st and 2nd for a super underpaid, underrated RD man locked in long term. For the Leafs, nothing is more valuable. Especially a bunch of spare parts they are going to have to throw away anyways. Unless you don't plan on ever using Knies or Cowan or Minten. Robertson has no home here. Whitecloud=better than Liljegren today by a lot. And the Leafs are looking to win now.

In 2 years when the cap is 95m. Guys like Whitecloud will cost 4-5m a season on the open market. Even more to play in Canada. Big young RD don't grow on trees. If your a Leaf fan, you know that already. Whitecloud is twice the D man Brodie is. And you could have him for half the price for the next 4 years. These are the kind of moves the Leafs will need to make in order to win.