2019-2020 Toronto Maple Leafs Summer Edition

[bustaheims]

And the risk losing one of Johnsson or Kerfoot, should they still be here, shouldn't stop the team from adding to the D.

It shouldn't, you're right - but, if they are still here, I imagine the team would want to protect them and/or potentially other forward additions that may happen.

Unless the team adds a pair of higher-end D, there really is no issue. If they lose a guy like Gudas, so be it.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If the Leafs are worried about the expansion draft, they won't sign any D men because they can only protect 3..Muzz, Rielly, Holl are it for now. Sign a Brodie or Gudas and Holl won't be protected anymore. There's a very low chance a UFA is going to come here without protection against the expansion draft so they may only go after 1 D man.

For the expansion draft protection, If you sign an FA defender:

Locks:

F - Tavares, Marner, Matthews and Nylander
D - Rielly, Muzzin, FA

So now you can either protect 3 more forwards or 1 more D.

If they could add 4th D that was worth protecting (or Dermott if he stays and takes a step forward), I don't think the risk of losing Holl or one of the remaining forwards (since Hyman is a UFA) should stop them.

And that was my point in the response. The expansion draft will have zero effect on if the Leafs sign a UFA or not.

Sorry, I thought you were saying since they could only protect 3 so it would be Rielly, Muzzin + acquired D so they would only go after 1.

I was saying they can protect 4 D, because there are only 4 forwards they absolutely need to protect.

If Dermott is moved and they protect 4D, they could add 2 D because really losing Holl isn't a big deal.

And the risk losing one of Johnsson or Kerfoot, should they still be here, shouldn't stop the team from adding to the D.

No worries, I kind of left it hanging at the end there so when I read my response back it can be seen as you saw it. Anyway, you are absolutely correct. We'll worry what we can lose in the draft next year.

 

[Deebo]

And the risk losing one of Johnsson or Kerfoot, should they still be here, shouldn't stop the team from adding to the D.

It shouldn't, you're right - but, if they are still here, I imagine the team would want to protect them and/or potentially other forward additions that may happen.

Unless the team adds a pair of higher-end D, there really is no issue. If they lose a guy like Gudas, so be it.

One addition on D requiring protection is very likely.

If they were to add another D, I don't think it would have to be that high end of an addition for the team to prefer to retain that player over losing whoever Seattle prefers of Kerfoot, Johnsson or a hypothetical addition at F. Even Dermott, if he takes a step forward in development, could be protected over the forwards.