Apparently, the Maple Leafs offered James van Riemsdyk in exchange for the former Islanders defenseman, but balked at adding additional parts.
Hamonic eventually went to Calgary. Had the Maple Leafs acquired Hamonic, they likely wouldn’t have signed Hainsey, and Hamonic would be Rielly’s new partner.
Personally, I think the Leafs were right to bail on the ask for Hamonic. Sure, the price for defense is crazy high, but Hamonic is a puck mover who doesn’t exactly suppress shots, and the Leafs are not hard up for puck moving defenseman. Sure, he’d be an upgrade over what they have on the blueline now, but with JVR in the lineup and a lesser Dman on the blueline, they’re probably still a better team right now.