Do me the exercise if you don't mind if which top 6 fwds would be traded for Ehlers. That are obviously better than Garland let's say. Ehlers himself is only slightly better. I don't think you'll come up with too many honestly. But let me know a few examples of guys.
Garland is still a middle 6 guy, even if we go with your assumption he does his role nearly as well as Ehlers.
So trading for him still does not fill the hole in our line up or our hearts.
Lowry could be argued to do his role as well as our top 6 guys, but, he is still a bottom 6 player who’s first responsibility is shutting things down defensively.
To do your exercise, players who could be on the chopping block.
TO seems willing to move Marner because of cap space.
Necas. Jets might have to add.
Brock Lee could possibly be pried away. He has his warts too, age etc,
but, all top 6 players.