Marlies are secondary to the Leafs still. There are other guys we can sign to fill in for the Marlies.
Also it was technically 5 that I listed (Gardiner, Holzer, Ranger, Kostka and Fraser). Gardiner and Holzer are prospects who are playing on the Marlies waiting for the NHL lockout to end to be called up. Ranger was a good NHLer before he quit hockey for a bit. Only 2 of those guys (Kostka and Fraser) were really only signed to play for the Marlies, some math shows that still leaves 8 guys (10-2=8) who are NHL defenseman.
marlies only have 8 defence, leafs need 4 defence min.
franson will not play for the leafs, he signed for the year in sweden, that was the rule to sign in Sweden.
burke will sign 2 ufa's, who will they be?
burke will not deplete the 1st place marlies, just to play half a season in the nhl.
murry will never see nhl action this year , maybe next year
ranger signed a one way contract.