Look a few years ago we traded Ponikarovsky and we got Luca Caputi, a 20 year old prospect who was doing extremely well in the AHL, and had already scored goals in the NHL.
Obviously Caputi busted, but at the time he was seen similar to a Ty Rattie or a Brett Ritchie.
If we are trading Franson I would want a similar DEFENSIVE prospect. Namely Shea Theodore. End of the day is if we trade for a pick, we really have no idea what we are getting. And knowing the way we draft... well its not something I am fond of.
Even if trading for a drafted prospect no guarantee he doesn't bust just like Caputi, Ashton, Aulie and it would be a lot of the same scouts providing reports.
We've actually produced good drafting results but just haven't had the massive unexpected homerun. Every team has a lot more misses than hits though. The biggest problem for the Leafs scout is the picks they've had to work with and fan patience. Outside of the top picks it generally takes prospect 4 or 5 years after being drafted to start making an impact.
Guys like Percy, Finn, Loov, Brown, Leivo were all drafted outside in the last few years who are almost NHL ready. Drafted outside of the top 20 also were Kulemin, Gunnarson, Holzer, Frattin, Stalberg, Reimer, Komarov, Granberg, Carrick, McKegg, Nilsson.