I think Shanny has seen what picks and development can do if given the right system and staff.
He was lucky enough to be exposed to the impact Detroit can have in that department.
You've seen Yzerman come in with not much experience and really turn his team around in a matter of a few short years.
Yzerman has clearly been a bit more active and hands on, but he's also in more of a hands on role, but you can be sure that their idea's and value's are very similar due to where they come from.
Yzerman has moved out these players for picks; Mezaros, Gagner, Kubina, Moore and Quincy in his first few years (months) as a GM without really sending any significant picks the other way.
Then turned around and used those picks to make the face of his team his own.
You'll likely see Shanahan TRY and make similar moves with our expendable pieces, but Toronto isn't in the best position to make such moves.
They'll want the express permission from their recently signed UFA's if they should have the option to move them, as its not exactly a great trait to have if you're signing UFA's, letting them settle in and them shipping them out when they finally get their lives settled.
So that essentially leaves you thin on options, and we can be sure Shanahan continues to have discussions and take his time deciding where to go with this team.
IF he does move bigger assets, you'll likely see some good picks coming back and near NHL ready prospects, or already established younger players with term.
There will be no "patch jobs" unless salary being taken back is a must.
I agree that Tampa reloaded starting with picks. Specifically at the 2012 deadline when the moved out Moore, Kubina, Downie who turned into Quincey who turned into a 1st.
I see the Leafs needing to follow a similar path with our pending UFAs this deadline + a guy like Bozak who is our best sell high candidate who isn't a long term piece with Kadri, Holland, Nylander in the system and to a lesser impact Komarov, McKegg, Gauthier + potentially our own 1st this year.
It starts with bringing in extra picks this deadline but people need to be prepared for some picks to be going out the door. Toronto needs more picks to even been in trade discussions or be comfortable sending out some prospects. We simply need more asset depth and it starts with picks/prospects. Toronto just needs to make sure when pulling a trade in the next year or two it's for guys that are still young, long term pieces and on the upswing like we did with Holland, Bernier. We need to avoid sending out picks for guys like O'Bryne, Bolland, etc.
Tampa also sent out a lot of picks in recent years in acquiring Lindback who didn't pan out as expected then Bishop who been amazing for them. Last summer they sent out a 2nd for Garrison (smart move considering they are in a contending phase and could do this from previously stocking up and being close to contending. Toronto shouldn't be looking at a such move for a few seasons until we have the rest of contending foundation in place).
Tampa made a lot of smart moves but much like the Leafs also simply needed time for guys in their system to develop.
Also worth noting Tampa didn't shy away from the Russian factor when other teams were running scared of it in recent drafts in taking guys like Kucherov, Palat, top goaltending prospect Vasilevsky, Gudas.
They also were dramatically smarter in free agency. They locked up Carle + Filpulla to reasonable deals to fill top pairing Dman and 2nd line center role. In the 12/13 off-seasons we meanwhile gave up picks for Bolland who later walked, gave Clarkson a silly contract on a team that was already built around the wing, misused our cap buyouts which is still counting against us in the form of Gleason for 3 more years. It will take a while to recover from the 2013 complete debacle of an off-season with the Bolland, Clarkson, buyout mess up.
