Even if they move Zaitsev and take nothing back, they still have not nearly enough to upgrade the defense.

If Kapanen 3.4, Johnsson 3.6 and Marner 10.5, then they have approximately 6.7M left to sign
3 Dmen (7),
1 Forward (13)
1 Goalie (2)
1 Other player

For a 23 man roster.

... and their roster would already have 5 players making under 1M

Someone, has to go, and even then, they are going to have a bunch of players under 1M.
- Aetherial

Matthews: 11.634
Tavares: 11
Marner: 10.5
Nylander: 6.963
Kadri: 4.5
Johnsson: 3.6
Kapanen: 3.4
Hyman: 2.25
Brown: 2.1
Mikheyev: .925
Moore: .775
Petan: .775
Marchment: .768
Gauthier: .675

14 forwards: 59.865

Rielly: 5
Muzzin: 4
Dermott: .864
Rosen: .750
Holl: .675

5 Defensemen: 11.289

Andersen: 5

1 goalie: 5

Kessel 1.2

Total cap hit: 77.354

Cap space: 4.146


Trade Brown, replace him with an Ennis type UFA (.675)
Trade Nylander for a top-4 D (Hamilton - 5.75). Replace Nylander with Bracco (.843).
Trade for a relatively cheap #4 D (Colin Miller - 3.88).
Sign a cheap (~1m) backup.

New cap 80.719

New cap space: .781

It’ll be tight, but it’s doable. Team is still great offensively, but more balanced.

Watching The Second Hunger games movie with my son...

Jennifer Lawrence

Uh, Yes please.


- Aetherial

Meh

Don't feel like back reading but thank Lou for what mess?
- HealthyScratch6

Hind site makes all kinds of retreads feel smart.

Don't feel like back reading but thank Lou for what mess?
- HealthyScratch6

Signing marleau in the first place

Signing zietzev

Hind site makes all kinds of retreads feel smart.
- Garnie

I think everyone saw a tough ending for Marleau...But I don't think anyone anticipated it being so expensive.

Times change and 3 years makes a huge difference..I think Marleau did a lot of good especially for the young guys.

Was it worth the 1st round pick? Probably not.

Worse outcomes have came from trading a 1st...At the end of the day it is what it is.

Hind site makes all kinds of retreads feel smart.
- Garnie

Hindsight even if you've been saying its a problem since day one?

Signing marleau in the first place

Signing zietzev
- burn

Marleau did a lot of good for the Leafs...

If I had to choose I would take the Marleau outcome over the Z. Marleau did some good but Z is just an average number 5 D man thats paid too much.

good input
- Santo_44

Thanks

Matthews: 11.634
Tavares: 11
Marner: 10.5
Nylander: 6.963
Kadri: 4.5
Johnsson: 3.6
Kapanen: 3.4
Hyman: 2.25
Brown: 2.1
Mikheyev: .925
Moore: .775
Petan: .775
Marchment: .768
Gauthier: .675

14 forwards: 59.865

Rielly: 5
Muzzin: 4
Dermott: .864
Rosen: .750
Holl: .675

5 Defensemen: 11.289

Andersen: 5

1 goalie: 5

Kessel 1.2

Total cap hit: 77.354

Cap space: 4.146


Trade Brown, replace him with an Ennis type UFA (.675)
Trade Nylander for a top-4 D (Hamilton - 5.75). Replace Nylander with Bracco (.843).
Trade for a relatively cheap #4 D (Colin Miller - 3.88).
Sign a cheap (~1m) backup.

New cap 80.719

New cap space: .781

It’ll be tight, but it’s doable. Team is still great offensively, but more balanced.
- Steven_Seagull

Yes, it could be something very similar to that, which is why I said Nylander may be on the way out at the beginning of the convo. (It might be Kadri).

In fact, it may actually be Nylander or Kadri for one of the Canes Dmen. This could all have been a big deal with Carolina but they had to announce the first part before the buyout window on Marleau closes and they announce the second part after the cash to Nylander is paid.

Marleau did a lot of good for the Leafs...

If I had to choose I would take the Marleau outcome over the Z. Marleau did some good but Z is just an average number 5 D man thats paid too much.
- Santo_44

Sure he did, no one saying he didn't. He was pretty good in year one, production wise but there was little chance he would be able live up to all 3 years. That he fell flat in year two and then asked to go back to San Jose made it impossible for the leafs to not get destroyed in a trade.

People still convinced that this whole thing was arranged so that the leafs could get out of the 3rd year of this marleau deal.

Hindsight even if you've been saying its a problem since day one?
- burn

I think it is clear they did not anticipate the RFA big escalation and the Salary cap not keeping pace.

When they signed it, I think they thought it would be tight but they could do that 3rd year.

Yes, it could be something very similar to that, which is why I said Nylander may be on the way out at the beginning of the convo. (It might be Kadri).

In fact, it may actually be Nylander or Kadri for one of the Canes Dmen. This could all have been a big deal with Carolina but they had to announce the first part before the buyout window on Marleau closes and they announce the second part after the cash to Nylander is paid.
- Aetherial

Yep

Nylander can play C.

They can trade for a cheaper 3C.

There is 100 days until puck drop. GMS are allowed to make more than one move.

I would argue they are much more desperate for a RHD than a center. Nylander can play C....We can only hope Liljegren is ready and its very unlikely hes ready for top 4 mins.
- Santo_44

yup so much time left for GM Dubas to weave his magic.
so you replace your 3rd line C with a much more expensive guy.
Nylander should be playing with Matthews

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kadri-Kapanen
Marchment-Goat-Brown/Moore

maybe perhaps

yup so much time left for GM Dubas to weave his magic.
so you replace your 3rd line C with a much more expensive guy.
Nylander should be playing with Matthews

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kadri-Kapanen
Marchment-Goat-Brown/Moore

maybe perhaps
- dmnted

It isn't 2008 anymore the 3rd line plays.

Willie will get lots of PP time...He will still get 17-18 mins a night.

Sure he did, no one saying he didn't. He was pretty good in year one, production wise but there was little chance he would be able live up to all 3 years. That he fell flat in year two and then asked to go back to San Jose made it impossible for the leafs to not get destroyed in a trade.

People still convinced that this whole thing was arranged so that the leafs could get out of the 3rd year of this marleau deal.
- burn

No it wasn't....I mean it was arranged so that if Marleau did want to retire it was a movable contract with only being 4 million in actual salary.

But I am sure the plan was to be a Leaf for 3 years then move back to SJ.

Well of course someone has to go...........

They don't have a 1st next year. They would use the high amount of forwards they have.

Kadri/Brown are going to go imo...outside chance on Willie if the right deal comes a long.

Pesce, Larsson, Gost, Barrie, Faulk all line up in value with Kadri...if Barrie and Faulk sign that is.

Hamonic is a good fall back option.

They have too many forwards...Babs is high on Mikhalev, Bracco is NHL ready.
- Santo_44

The problem with the Brown Kadri over Nylander strategy is that one, it's .4 million less, and two, it's two guys. On friendly contracts. You might get the same quality defensemen back but what is he making? At least 4.5. Now you add 2 holes that need to be filled on the forward roster and are gaining only 2 million in space. Wing is where the depth is, if they trade Kadri centre comes much thinner. Nylander goes for that same d man, it's 2.4 million and only one forward spot to fill. If they decide do keep Nylander, it will be putting a huge amount of weight on that kids shoulders. That will mean they are banking on him becoming the 25-30 goal 75 point player. Many of us would rather bank on Kadri, and see brown as a good defensive contributor, who will be much needed, even if they do get one more middle of the pack defensemen.

Yes, it could be something very similar to that, which is why I said Nylander may be on the way out at the beginning of the convo. (It might be Kadri).

In fact, it may actually be Nylander or Kadri for one of the Canes Dmen. This could all have been a big deal with Carolina but they had to announce the first part before the buyout window on Marleau closes and they announce the second part after the cash to Nylander is paid.
- Aetherial

Sadly thats still a pretty crap defence core.

The problem with the Brown Kadri over Nylander strategy is that one, it's .4 million less, and two, it's two guys. On friendly contracts. You might get the same quality defensemen back but what is he making? At least 4.5. Now you add 2 holes that need to be filled on the forward roster and are gaining only 2 million in space. Wing is where the depth is, if they trade Kadri centre comes much thinner. Nylander goes for that same d man, it's 2.4 million and only one forward spot to fill. If they decide do keep Nylander, it will be putting a huge amount of weight on that kids shoulders. That will mean they are banking on him becoming the 25-30 goal 75 point player. Many of us would rather bank on Kadri, and see brown as a good defensive contributor, who will be much needed, even if they do get one more middle of the pack defensemen.
- aminnes

Brown can and will be replaced by a Moore/Bracco/Mikhalev...money is saved there.

I want Nylander for when the Rielly, Andersen contracts are up. No need to add Kadri to that mix and a 7 million cap hit will be a lot less percentage wise in 3 years.

Brown can and will be replaced by a Moore/Bracco/Mikhalev...money is saved there.

I want Nylander for when the Rielly, Andersen contracts are up. No need to add Kadri to that mix and a 7 million cap hit will be a lot less percentage wise in 3 years.
- Santo_44

Defensive and PK ability is not something rookies are known for.

Your not replacing Kadri with empty cap space, his money is paying a new defensemen, and whoever replaces him.

You're (frank)ed.
- GreatGigInTheSky

lol

Very proud to say i just became a grandpa for the first time. Baby girl looks nothing like Garnie, no matter what he says. All are healthy and perfect.

Cheers
- bixll

Congratulations Bixll!

Defensive and PK ability is not something rookies are known for.

Your not replacing Kadri with empty cap space, his money is paying a new defensemen, and whoever replaces him.
- aminnes

That is false. Plenty of rookies have put in PK time.............Hyman is one perfect example of that check his PK time in his rookie year. dont spew poop.

Sadly thats still a pretty crap defence core.
- aminnes

That would be a massive improvement over what the Leafs had this past season.

Have you ever posted a comment detailing any plans or ideas? All I ever read from you is negative nonsense. UG was never this bad. Holy poop.

COLE (frank)ING CAUFIELD

COLE (frank)ING CAUFIELD
- Scabeh

The next Tyler Ennis.