Minten and Cowan aren't NHL ready in October. You really think Kampf has a lat place team with cap on his trade list?

Signing Skjei and DeMelo, or any two UFA mid-aged/veteran defender to multi-year deals isn't the way to go. If they aren't fits, then they will be stuck, and even if they are good fits, it will be for a short window. Going for some temporary guys on 1-2 year deals makes more sense, and a long-term deal for one mid-aged defender if they are truly convinced he will be a good fit.

The Leafs do need to add a solid defensive defender but they also need someone else who can chip in offensively and potentially play PP1 over Rielly, someone with a shot, who can give the powerplay a different look. Treliving was on to something when he signed Klingberg, he just wasn't healthy (to even produce) or good enough defensively.