The problem was making the trade for Cody Ceci. I'm sure other teams would have been willing to take Zaitsev. It's clear that the Leafs wanted Ceci.

I've heard that both sides were 500K apart. Pay him 11M for 8 years and move on with it.
- RedRevenge

Oh, you're sure. Who are you, My Cousin Vinnie?

You make a lot of assumptions without any fact. Would it surprise you to learn I don't put any stock in "what you've heard" or what you're "sure" of when it comes to NHL roster management? Like actual hockey executives didn't explore all avenues to maneuver their roster under the salary cap?

How many scouts do you employ? How big is your database of scouting notes and assessment of league-wide players and prospects? Just paying someone $500K more than they're worth is not a way to run any business, let alone an NHL team.

The Switzerland noise is just that. Clutching at sh!t by the idiot agent, because the apparent offer sheet never materialized. He may practicing in Switzerland for a while, but this deal will be done before or during training camp. I hope its a bridge deal. (frank) Ferris and all trolls that have a bad case of Leaf-Envy.
- winsix

I am aware that the Switzerland stuff is his agent being a doofus. It's the same thing he does with everyone. I was being sarcastically naive in those comments.

I know this wasn’t directed at me but.....

I had my 2 day golf tourney at my club over the weekend and I was feeling pretty good about my game. I was coming off a 76, 78, and most recently a -1 71.

I shot 91, 87.

I’m going to take some time away from golf now.

It really is a fickle game.
- bryant

That’s some good golf, I’ve done the same years ago, shot 72-73 in the club championship to make the club team. Then went to the team event and shot in the 90’s

Don’t golf much now, broke foot last year - zero rounds, lost the itch. Finally got out this year....twice. Starting to get the itch to play again, even though I wouldn’t have broken 100 ( duck hook right every (frank)ing tee ball for the 1st 7 holes ) (frank)

I'd really like to propose a split into 2 leafs forums on here - in order for HOHO, Aardvark, Bixll, Santo, Roger and a few others can go on continue with the insults and ignorant remarks, but just between themselves; and the other forum just a normal interaction forum where people can share their opinions and views on hockey, leafs and other stuff without the constant bickering and insults.
- MaximusAurelius

This is hilarious, you should start your own forum and see who goes with you. People are harsh on you for a reason....

You and Anime are the only ones who would go to it. You guys can complain about the same thing every day there.

I am aware that the Switzerland stuff is his agent being a doofus. It's the same thing he does with everyone. I was being sarcastically naive in those comments.
- Monkeypunk

To add to the ridiculousness of this, he'll likely make less than what the two sides are apart annually on a long term deal if he goes to Switzerland. What's the gain here?

The Leafs can't afford to pay him a full year deal days into the season based on the inflated year one contract that comes with it. If he's not signed by the time Clarkson/Horton go on LTIR they're going to have to make a hard decision. The reality is that Nylander and his camp understood that the cap situation last year benefited them if they held out - the same flexibility does not exist this season for a hold out based on hard cap parameters.

He's not. Redrevenge isn't either.
- bixll

I come here for a good laugh bud.

Be happy

11 is getting into overpay territory even on 8yrs.

I still think there was some strategy to signing Ceci and leaving just enough money (10.5) to squeeze in Marner.

They can say we have 10.5 cap space to sign you and play this season. 10.5 x 8 or 9.5 x 6

take one of those, or go 3 x 8/8.5

otherwise, the Leafs start without mitch
- senstroll

Those are fair numbers. The 3 x 8 or 8.5 is a huge over payment on RFA years, but it will likely be required. I'm now guessing that the deal gets done in the 3 x 7.5 or 8 range since the other stuff seems to be such a problem. You go on a 3 year term, we still own his rights.

I come here for a good laugh bud.


- RedRevenge

I just watch a Hawks game for that. Spud.

I'd really like to propose a split into 2 leafs forums on here - in order for HOHO, Aardvark, Bixll, Santo, Roger and a few others can go on continue with the insults and ignorant remarks, but just between themselves; and the other forum just a normal interaction forum where people can share their opinions and views on hockey, leafs and other stuff without the constant bickering and insults.
- MaximusAurelius

- .HOHO.

Sing kumbaya and rub each others hand.

Redrevenge wants in too.

Trade everyone

What did you shoot mofo?
- Garnie

90,92,98 and a big fat HUNDO

To add to the ridiculousness of this, he'll likely make less than what the two sides are apart annually on a long term deal if he goes to Switzerland. What's the gain here?

The Leafs can't afford to pay him a full year deal days into the season based on the inflated year one contract that comes with it. If he's not signed by the time Clarkson/Horton go on LTIR they're going to have to make a hard decision. The reality is that Nylander and his camp understood that the cap situation last year benefited them if they held out - the same flexibility does not exist this season for a hold out based on hard cap parameters.
- Deeps27

Yeah his agent told him to wait on the Leafs instead of negotiating in season and it has backfired.

The deadline is October 1st instead of December 1st.

Now that they waited so long they only have a certain amount of cap.

5 years is off the table because they don’t want Willie and Matthews deals ending all at once.

He really limited himself waiting this long. It was stupid, the agent was trying to wait out a good team that is up against the cap.

That’s just silly, especially when the player really wants to stay.

Oh, you're sure. Who are you, My Cousin Vinnie?

You make a lot of assumptions without any fact. Would it surprise you to learn I don't put any stock in "what you've heard" or what you're "sure" of when it comes to NHL roster management? Like actual hockey executives didn't explore all avenues to maneuver their roster under the salary cap?

How many scouts do you employ? How big is your database of scouting notes and assessment of league-wide players and prospects? Just paying someone $500K more than they're worth is not a way to run any business, let alone an NHL team.
- Deeps27

Pretty sure that I heard that they were 500K apart from here. Your own blogger....

Chia was a GM for several teams and for several years... Bad management exists.

I just look at the numbers and past performances. I know this might be hard for you, but Ceci was one of the worst defensemen on OTT last year. Maybe he has a turn around season maybe not. But I look at past performance to make future predictions.

If paying your best player 500K more gets him signed for 8 years then you do that move. Making your best players happy isn't bad business. Unfortunately, the Leafs don't have the cap space to pay him anything extra.

And you want to be in the normal interaction forum?
- gravyface

I know right. I'm totally ok being in Max's "other forum"

This is hilarious, you should start your own forum and see who goes with you. People are harsh on you for a reason....

You and Anime are the only ones who would go to it. You guys can complain about the same thing every day there.
- Santo_44

You forgot CKO UG, wonder what the over-under is on a meltdown followed by the ban-hammer?

for your forum


- MaximusAurelius

For your forum.....

You forgot CKO UG, wonder what the over-under is on a meltdown followed by the ban-hammer?



- winsix

I’d pay to watch that.

Hmmm, we may be onto something here....

To add to the ridiculousness of this, he'll likely make less than what the two sides are apart annually on a long term deal if he goes to Switzerland. What's the gain here?

The Leafs can't afford to pay him a full year deal days into the season based on the inflated year one contract that comes with it. If he's not signed by the time Clarkson/Horton go on LTIR they're going to have to make a hard decision. The reality is that Nylander and his camp understood that the cap situation last year benefited them if they held out - the same flexibility does not exist this season for a hold out based on hard cap parameters.
- Deeps27

Absolutely.

Let's say the negotiated deal is $9.5x6:

If you sign that on October 9, the cap hit this year is $9.8, and in years 2-6 it's $9.44m.

On October 16th, that changes to $10.14m / $9.38m.

By October 23rd, it's hit the $10.5m mark (offset to $9.32 in subsequent years).

The benefit to the Leafs of waiting is zero - that extra $100k - $200k in cap space is irrelevant. The benefit to Marner of waiting is zero. So once this game of chicken has run its course and Ferris realizes his bag of tricks is empty, they can come to terms.

I know this wasn’t directed at me but.....

I had my 2 day golf tourney at my club over the weekend and I was feeling pretty good about my game. I was coming off a 76, 78, and most recently a -1 71.

I shot 91, 87.

I’m going to take some time away from golf now.

It really is a fickle game.
- bryant

Damn! You ar Gooooood!!! I struggle to break 100. But, somehow...still love the game!

I just watch a Hawks game for that. Spud.
- bixll

I also get a good laugh watching the Leafs lose to Boston in the first round after hearing that "they are better on paper" or "deserved it"

It's ok bud, no need to be mad.

Pretty sure that I heard that they were 500K apart from here. Your own blogger....

Chia was a GM for several teams and for several years... Bad management exists.

I just look at the numbers and past performances. I know this might be hard for you, but Ceci was one of the worst defensemen on OTT last year. Maybe he has a turn around season maybe not. But I look at past performance to make future predictions.

If paying your best player 500K more gets him signed for 8 years then you do that move. Making your best players happy isn't bad business. Unfortunately, the Leafs don't have the cap space to pay him anything extra.
- RedRevenge

I'm glad you're here for a laugh - I've been laughing at your Leafs insights all morning. I wished I cared enough about other teams to share terrible opinions on what they should and shouldn't do.

I'm glad you're here for a laugh - I've been laughing at your Leafs insights all morning. I wished I cared enough about other teams to share terrible opinions on what they should and shouldn't do.
- Deeps27

Oh you do care. Because you replied to me bud.

Glad, I've made your day better .

Damn! You ar Gooooood!!! I struggle to break 100. But, somehow...still love the game!
- hawk35

In your defence, golf in Newfoundland is tough, what with the wind and the moose and the rain and the snow...