Nobody has suggested everyone on the bottom 6 make $1M or less, other than you who has decided that people want that because they don't agree with a $25M bottom 6.

The problem in Vancouver is we're paying the bottom 6 top dollar for below average production. If you can't see that then that's on you.
- golfingsince

lol I don't think the intent on Sutter and LE was to be in the bottom 6 long term when they signed but people sure love to argue it to justify their cases. It eventually happens with bad contracts it is what it is. I think the 'suggestion' here is that we need to cheap out in certain areas and I don't think that is the way to go.

The only forwards in the Leaf’s roster making <$1.0m are Robertson (on an ELC), Spezza (10g, 23p, 45 games) and Thornton (3g, 13p, 35 games).

Spezza would be 5th in team scoring on the well balanced Canuck roster
- 1970vintage

lol wow look at you defending the Leafs model. They currently have 13 players including the two goaltenders making under 2 mil per and they are paying Kessel 1.2 mil per season too lol. If you think that's a recipe for deep success in the PO's good on ya man...

Nobody has suggested everyone on the bottom 6 make $1M or less, other than you who has decided that people want that because they don't agree with a $25M bottom 6.

The problem in Vancouver is we're paying the bottom 6 top dollar for below average production. If you can't see that then that's on you.
- golfingsince

I always wondered where he got that from, I have never seen anyone suggest that.

Spezza and Thornton both over 55% in the dot as well and on short term deals. However, lets defend giving Beagle 3 times as much money for 4 years.
- golfingsince

And where were the Leafs last year in the PO's? Did they almost make the conference final??

Spezza and Thornton both over 55% in the dot as well and on short term deals. However, lets defend giving Beagle 3 times as much money for 4 years.
- golfingsince

Do Spezza or Thorton get hugs from Ovi?
I thought so.

And where were the Leafs last year in the PO's? Did they almost make the conference final??
- LordHumungous

I feel like the bar is set way too low for you lordy.

I feel like the bar is set way too low for you lordy.
- Codes1087

lol no I just want some PO success and cheaping out in certain areas proves not to be the way to. I get it...the Leafs and the Oilers are turning out to be good reg. season teams and that's attractive to many but they will continue to struggle in the PO's until certain problems are addressed. It's tough to build a club that has reg season success and PO depth but it can be done under the current core we have.

Nobody has suggested everyone on the bottom 6 make $1M or less, other than you who has decided that people want that because they don't agree with a $25M bottom 6.

The problem in Vancouver is we're paying the bottom 6 top dollar for below average production. If you can't see that then that's on you.
- golfingsince

If you draft well, they will come.

lol I don't think the intent on Sutter and LE was to be in the bottom 6 long term when they signed but people sure love to argue it to justify their cases. It eventually happens with bad contracts it is what it is. I think the 'suggestion' here is that we need to cheap out in certain areas and I don't think that is the way to go.
- LordHumungous

If anything I'd argue the intent with Sutter was not to be 3C short term. He has never shown to be anything more than a third line player with the possible exception of his sophmore season. He hasn't even reached 35 points once since 2010 and has only scored more than 30 4 times in his entire career.

If the plan was to have him become your 2C, that's an even worse look for Benning.

Every team in any league with a salary cap cheaps out on something. Either you have a pile of ELC's contributing or you fill gaps with role players and pay them accordingly. The 4th line and Dmen 5-6-7 are the most likely and reasonable places to do this.

lol no I just want some PO success and cheaping out in certain areas proves not to be the way to. I get it...the Leafs and the Oilers are turning out to be good reg. season teams and that's attractive to many but they will continue to struggle in the PO's until certain problems are addressed. It's tough to build a club that has reg season success and PO depth but it can be done under the current core we have.
- LordHumungous

You can want playoff success and find value in the bottom 6 at the same time. It's just not something Benning has done well at, at all.. you just think it can't be done because we are just so used to overpaying for an absolute poop product in the bottom 6. What's worse is he generally pays free agents as if they are top 6 and end up being bottom 6, and still struggling to be capable bottom 6.

Look at florida. Look at Carter verhage. Look at Anthony duclair. Teams are finding value, Benning hasn't.

You can want playoff success and find value in the bottom 6 at the same time. It's just not something Benning has done well at, at all.. you just think it can't be done because we are just so used to overpaying for an absolute poop product in the bottom 6. What's worse is he generally pays free agents as if they are top 6 and end up being bottom 6, and still struggling to be capable bottom 6.

Look at florida. Look at Carter verhage. Look at Anthony duclair. Teams are finding value, Benning hasn't.
- Codes1087

- Marwood

What's even worse, is even when he acquires top 6 talent, he instead opts to keep fringe bottom 6 players who equate to the same cap hit. His inability to identify pro level hockey talent is so concerning

I will forever be salty about letting toffoli walk and keeping virtanen. Benning is a (frank)ing idiot

And where were the Leafs last year in the PO's? Did they almost make the conference final??
- LordHumungous

1 year in which we were lucky to make the playoffs. Great wisdom there.....

What did the champs bottom six look like last year?

What's even worse, is even when he acquires top 6 talent, he instead opts to keep fringe bottom 6 players who equate to the same cap hit. His inability to identify pro level hockey talent is so concerning

I will forever be salty about letting toffoli walk and keeping virtanen. Benning is a (frank)ing idiot
- Codes1087

Do you by chance have your pilot's license?

You can want playoff success and find value in the bottom 6 at the same time. It's just not something Benning has done well at, at all.. you just think it can't be done because we are just so used to overpaying for an absolute poop product in the bottom 6. What's worse is he generally pays free agents as if they are top 6 and end up being bottom 6, and still struggling to be capable bottom 6.

Look at florida. Look at Carter verhage. Look at Anthony duclair. Teams are finding value, Benning hasn't.
- Codes1087

Florida has a good coach and a 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall who are all coming into their own now.

Grabbing someone like Vehaeghe is smart. TB drafts and signs almost everyone and gives them a chance. He is having currently a VERY surprising year.

At one point the Canucks had Mason Raymond looking good.

Florida has a good coach and a 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall who are all coming into their own now.

Grabbing someone like Vehaeghe is smart. TB drafts and signs almost everyone and gives them a chance. He is having currently a VERY surprising year.

At one point the Canucks had Mason Raymond looking good.
- manvanfan

They are getting value from their whole lineup, it's why they are at the tops of the league. They are also Utilizing their ELCs in their bottom 6 with tippet and luostarin (spelling).

What's even worse, is even when he acquires top 6 talent, he instead opts to keep fringe bottom 6 players who equate to the same cap hit. His inability to identify pro level hockey talent is so concerning

I will forever be salty about letting toffoli walk and keeping virtanen. Benning is a (frank)ing idiot
- Codes1087

You are spending some much time in hindsight land.

Everybody would agree Toffoli>Virtanen. That's not a 23 man team though.

Virtanen + would have equalled Toffoli. You could have signed Hamonic but not traded for Schmidt.

You are spending some much time in hindsight land.

Everybody would agree Toffoli>Virtanen. That's not a 23 man team though.

Virtanen + would have equalled Toffoli. You could have signed Hamonic but not traded for Schmidt.
- manvanfan

It's not hindsight when I was posting about keeping toffoli and letting virtanen walk as soon as our playoffs in the bubble ended.

I'm just more salty than ever now cause I believe I was truly right lol

What's even worse, is even when he acquires top 6 talent, he instead opts to keep fringe bottom 6 players who equate to the same cap hit. His inability to identify pro level hockey talent is so concerning

I will forever be salty about letting toffoli walk and keeping virtanen. Benning is a (frank)ing idiot
- Codes1087

The TT loss hurt but they got Schmidt as a result. Plus they were stuck with that Ferland status limbo that cost them Tanev. But Hamonic has started to fill in there after rough start.

The objective truth is that Covid/flat cap turned Beagle, Roussel, Sutter, and LE contracts from over pays to unmoveable anchors. Next season LTIR might be way out for the 3 left as $ for buyouts wasn't authorized.

They are getting value from their whole lineup, it's why they are at the tops of the league. They are also Utilizing their ELCs in their bottom 6 with tippet and luostarin (spelling).
- Codes1087

That's what happens when you allow younger players to play over the poop that TG loves to employ.

They are getting value from their whole lineup, it's why they are at the tops of the league. They are also Utilizing their ELCs in their bottom 6 with tippet and luostarin (spelling).
- Codes1087

Bobrovsky seems a bit overpaid....by like 5 mil per and probably 3 years too long.

lol the point was having ten players tying up most of your cap then the bottom ten making one mil per isn't a recipe for success in the PO as it has shown with the Leafs. Oilers are about to find out lol. It requires balance up and down the lineup. We ain't winning no cup with our bottom 6 making a total of 6 mil.
- LordHumungous

It's been a recipe for success for the past 5 stanley cup winners.

The TT loss hurt but they got Schmidt as a result. Plus they were stuck with that Ferland status limbo that cost them Tanev. But Hamonic has started to fill in there after rough start.

The objective truth is that Covid/flat cap turned Beagle, Roussel, Sutter, and LE contracts from over pays to unmoveable anchors. Next season LTIR might be way out for the 3 left as $ for buyouts wasn't authorized.
- NuckUp

Meh, the flat cap or "covid" cap didn't hurt one team anymore than it did the rest of the league. It just highlighted and brought to light just how bad those signings you mentioned above were.

Bobrovsky seems a bit overpaid....by like 5 mil per and probably 3 years too long.
- Load Management

Oh 100%. I won't say every team has a bad contract or two. Every team does. We just have like 8

That's what happens when you allow younger players to play over the poop that TG loves to employ.
- manvanfan

100%