No. 2: Mark Giordano
Trading for a former Norris Trophy winner, who was born in Toronto seems like a no-brainer. However, at his age and price-tag, the Leafs don’t make a lot of sense.
If the NHL had a luxury-tax salary-cap system (it drives me nuts that they don’t), adding Giordano and going over the tax would be a fine decision. However, you can’t justify trading for a 38-year-old defenseman who makes $6.75M.
“Gio” would bolster the blue-line and be an unbelievable third-paring defenseman for this team, but the money doesn’t work. He’d bring a veteran presence but would also be important on the second-unit power-play.
As I mentioned, in a perfect world, Giordano would be loved in Toronto, but his price is way too much money to give up any assets for him.