I don’t like Bettman but since he took over the league has increased by 8 teams and is notably more popular in the US.

As for the cap increase comparison it’s not as far off as you think. Roughly: NBA: 275% increase and NHL: 215%. This isn’t surprising tbh since the NBA is far more popular in the US than the NHL is.
- Dozzer

Surprising numbers on cap increase

(Last post on this…promise this time)

I’m not a heavy stats at all. They are great to a point. There are a lot of stats that have too much influence from factors a player can’t control and to a certain degree hockey stats can be subjective just as much as the eye test. Hits, Forcing turnovers, give aways - there are a bunch.
Mostly though they can be cherry picked as everyone knows. But I’ll give it a go:

Mitch $10.9 M
Willy $6.9 M

I just personally don’t see the gap.

Marner +18
Willy + 10

Pts - Marner 99
Willy 87

GWG - Marner 4
Willy 5

PPP - Marner 36
Willy 28

PPG - Marner 9
Willy 9

P/GP - Marner 1.24
Willy 1.06

EVG - Marner 17
Willy 31

EVP - Marner 58
Willy 59

OTG - Marner 2
Willy 3


Hope I re type them all correct. Honest mistake of not there folks

Meh problem with stats is you can pick what you like to further an argument. Nylander has imroved significantly defensively and closed the gap if you use Defensive Point Share. +/- can be a useless stat but Nylander's rose this year while playing with Matthews, while Marner's dropped while playing with JT. Christ Bunting's was higher than Marner because he spent more time with Matthews.
- jribout

Certainly you saw Nylander backchecking more - using his stick better, getting into positions to work on the wall, which was great to see. And as you said, if you really look at their comparative stats by Centre:

At EV in 540 minutes with Matthews, Marner was +13; they had an xGF of +9
At EV in 550 minutes with Tavares, Marner was +15; they had an xGF of +4

At EV in 505 minutes with Matthews, Nylander was +24; they had an xGF of +7
At EV in 421 minutes with Tavares, Nylander was -5; they had an xGF of +5

Nylander was vastly more successful with Matthews despite not having quite the same high level of play, and Marner was more successful with Tavares despite not having quite the same high level of play in terms of chance generation.

The thing with Nylander is that he is a shooter also and that works with Matthews. You have to play the shot. With Marner, as a goalie, you can hedge on the pass.

(Last post on this…promise this time)

I’m not a heavy stats at all. They are great to a point. There are a lot of stats that have too much influence from factors a player can’t control and to a certain degree hockey stats can be subjective just as much as the eye test. Hits, Forcing turnovers, give aways - there are a bunch.
Mostly though they can be cherry picked as everyone knows. But I’ll give it a go:

Mitch $10.9 M
Willy $6.9 M

I just personally don’t see the gap.

Marner +18
Willy + 10

Pts - Marner 99
Willy 87

GWG - Marner 4
Willy 5

PPP - Marner 36
Willy 28

PPG - Marner 9
Willy 9

P/GP - Marner 1.24
Willy 1.06

EVG - Marner 17
Willy 31

EVP - Marner 58
Willy 59

OTG - Marner 2
Willy 3


Hope I re type them all correct. Honest mistake of not there folks
- Big23Questions

Those are right for last year insofar as I see. The thing is that last year was the first time you saw Willy perform at this level. That said last year was excellent, too. He is a year older than Marner, so you almost compare those stats back one-year to keep player development in check to some degree.

Willy is one year closer to prime at 27 as well, which he enters this year. This season could be even better than last for him.

In no way am I crapping on Nylander. I love the guy. His zone entries and puck possession and intelligence with the puck are brilliant. But in terms of apples:apples, Marner has been in more defensive roles for a reason and I don't believe it's because the Leafs' coaches and assistant coaches have all been morons over the years.

I don't happen to think Marner's next deal should massively eclipse this deal because I don't think Marner ever fully lived up to this deal whereas Willy did exceed his. If I'm plotting it on a graph, in a more perfect world, Marner would make $9.5m - 10m and Willy would make $8.5m.

Those are right for last year insofar as I see. The thing is that last year was the first time you saw Willy perform at this level. That said last year was excellent, too. He is a year older than Marner, so you almost compare those stats back one-year to keep player development in check to some degree.

Willy is one year closer to prime at 27 as well, which he enters this year. This season could be even better than last for him.

In no way am I crapping on Nylander. I love the guy. His zone entries and puck possession and intelligence with the puck are brilliant. But in terms of apples:apples, Marner has been in more defensive roles for a reason and I don't believe it's because the Leafs' coaches and assistant coaches have all been morons over the years.

I don't happen to think Marner's next deal should massively eclipse this deal because I don't think Marner ever fully lived up to this deal whereas Willy did exceed his. If I'm plotting it on a graph, in a more perfect world, Marner would make $9.5m - 10m and Willy would make $8.5m.
- Monkeypunk

I agree with this. I think a big part of Nylander’s motivation has to do with his sense of internal equity. My guess is that if Matthews gives up a bit he will too. Marner’s contract may be more relevant but the timelines don’t match up.

Those are right for last year insofar as I see. The thing is that last year was the first time you saw Willy perform at this level. That said last year was excellent, too. He is a year older than Marner, so you almost compare those stats back one-year to keep player development in check to some degree.

Willy is one year closer to prime at 27 as well, which he enters this year. This season could be even better than last for him.

In no way am I crapping on Nylander. I love the guy. His zone entries and puck possession and intelligence with the puck are brilliant. But in terms of apples:apples, Marner has been in more defensive roles for a reason and I don't believe it's because the Leafs' coaches and assistant coaches have all been morons over the years.

I don't happen to think Marner's next deal should massively eclipse this deal because I don't think Marner ever fully lived up to this deal whereas Willy did exceed his. If I'm plotting it on a graph, in a more perfect world, Marner would make $9.5m - 10m and Willy would make $8.5m.
- Monkeypunk

Ya absolutely man. Like them or not - nhl coaches know what what eh. Different levels and obviously they screw up a ton but ultimately they are competent nhl coaches for the majority.

My thing on that though is that the Leafs are offence driven on all zones all time for the majority (in game shifts score dependent time of period etc).
Because of that and due to Marners greatest strength as an undersized player is the reason he’s there - his anticipation/read - he gets PK time and at those times you mentioned.
At those times in the game the game slows. On the PK and end of games in tight games when other team pulls pads - it’s essentially a PK situation. At 5v5 I just see too many turnovers within death space of both blues and sometimes just Jr muffins in own zone from wall.

Ya absolutely man. Like them or not - nhl coaches know what what eh. Different levels and obviously they screw up a ton but ultimately they are competent nhl coaches for the majority.

My thing on that though is that the Leafs are offence driven on all zones all time for the majority (in game shifts score dependent time of period etc).
Because of that and due to Marners greatest strength as an undersized player is the reason he’s there - his anticipation/read - he gets PK time and at those times you mentioned.
At those times in the game the game slows. On the PK and end of games in tight games when other team pulls pads - it’s essentially a PK situation. At 5v5 I just see too many turnovers within death space of both blues and sometimes just Jr muffins in own zone from wall.
- Big23Questions

I agree with this, and read an article a few days back (PPP I believe), that went through Marner's stats, and compared them to other Selke finalists the past few years. It became apparent looking at the stats, that A) Mathews had a lot to do with them, and B) He really only got the Selke nomination based on the eye test, and that he's a big name. He's down in the 50s league wide in actual defensive impact.
This isn't to say he's not up there for predominately offensive players, but he's no Bergeron, not even close.

Zadorov is the kind of no nonsense defenceman that can hit, play defense and chip in 10 goals a year. If we could trade Brodie, it would be a great opportunity to get younger and tougher. Brodie, Nylander, Murray for Zadorov and Lindholm. It fixes many problems and leaves some money to upgrade the right defenseman alignment. To keep those two, it would cost around $12M after next year. If Willy's worth $10M and Brodie around $5M, it leaves a few bucks for re-signing Bertuzzi and Domi next time around. Muzzin's final year drops off next summer. There's the money for Bertuzzi and Domi that will lock them up for a long time. Robidas Island will be empty after all of these years. I wonder what ever happened to Lupul?
- PrinceLH

And why would the Flames make that trade?

You are offering them 3 expiring contracts.

You think the GM who just endorsed the coach would say "yeah he didn't like the coach I picked"?
- Aaron_85

Sigh.

Read what EF said, he said the same poop

Quit it with this believing he hated the room or coach when there are credible people and treliving saying otherwise

Houston, Kansas City and Atlanta for two expansions and one relocation. Probably KC first when the Coyotes crawl out of the desert.
- Canada Cup

Salt Lake City and Hartford are pushing hard too.

The trade that will win the Leafs the cup, unfortunately looks like this:

Nylander/Lilygrin
4
Lindholm/Zadorov


This trade makes sense for Calgary as they get a player with term/rfa in Lilly.

The trade that will win the Leafs the cup, unfortunately looks like this:

Nylander/Lilygrin
4
Lindholm/Zadorov


This trade makes sense for Calgary as they get a player with term/rfa in Lilly.
- Bullot

….a snotier move would be:

Nylander/Lilygren

4

Kadri/Zadorov

The trade that will win the Leafs the cup, unfortunately looks like this:

Nylander/Lilygrin
4
Lindholm/Zadorov


This trade makes sense for Calgary as they get a player with term/rfa in Lilly.
- Bullot

Alot on here wont agree and your probably going to get blasted for even mentioning Nylander and trade in the same sentence. But i totally agree with you thou, yes Nylander is the better point producer in the trade but Lindholm is far better at the defensive part of the game. Lilly is a young D just hitting his stride and id hate to see him go but Zadorov is alot of what the Leafs need, a 6'6" bulldozer who is good defensively and can pot 10 goals from the back end. It would be a hard trade to make but it would make them a hell of a lot harder to play against imo.

Sigh.

Read what EF said, he said the same poop

Quit it with this believing he hated the room or coach when there are credible people and treliving saying otherwise
- Santo_44

There had to be something he didn't like here, so explain why he left? It was reported that Leafs offered similar money and term.

He just couldn't handle the pressure?

There had to be something he didn't like here, so explain why he left? It was reported that Leafs offered similar money and term.

He just couldn't handle the pressure?
- Leaffrog

What if he didn’t want to be the 3rd line center?

Reaves said in his interview.
I heard (the Leafs room is) quiet, but I don’t know if it’s cliquey or whatever. If it is, we can address it. I’ve heard it’s a great locker room.”

Answer is pretty easy to see. He didnt want to deal with the fishbowl that is Toronto and put up with the media. All the speculation and fabricated 💩 for stories like Steve Simmons etc. we are of of, if not the worst for it.

There had to be something he didn't like here, so explain why he left? It was reported that Leafs offered similar money and term.

He just couldn't handle the pressure?
- Leaffrog

If it were me, and I was a 32 yr old in decline (I love RoR but his contract probably won't age well) and I was a local guy with lots of family I might look at the heat JT takes and decide I'd rather do my declining elsewhere so my family and friends don't have to read/hear about how my contract sucks every day.

If it were me, and I was a 32 yr old in decline (I love RoR but his contract probably won't age well) and I was a local guy with lots of family I might look at the heat JT takes and decide I'd rather do my declining elsewhere so my family and friends don't have to read/hear about how my contract sucks every day.
- The Law

Yes.

If it were me, and I was a 32 yr old in decline (I love RoR but his contract probably won't age well) and I was a local guy with lots of family I might look at the heat JT takes and decide I'd rather do my declining elsewhere so my family and friends don't have to read/hear about how my contract sucks every day.
- The Law

- sokosteve

Nah, it just is what it is.

Early days but I'm liking the idea of Domi playing with 34 and Bertuzzi with JT.

Matthews can hide his defensive weakness and Domi ends every shift with some face washing and drags 34 into a few more battles.

Knies can help drive line 3.

Curious to see if Reaves still skates well enough to knock down some blue liners.

Blue line still needs sumpin' sumpin'.

I think Matthews gets signed first, followed not long after by Nylander. (Willie now likely to be traded today.)

Cap update ...

If the Leafs carry 12F, 7D and 2G;
And if the Leafs find a taker for Murray;
And if the Leafs sign Sammy to $3M ...

Then they'll have ~50k in Cap space with this roster.

Domi-Matt-Nyla
Bert-Tava-Marn
Knie-Kamp-Jarn
Laff-Holm-Reav
Riel-Brod
McCa-Klin
Gior-Lill
Timm
Samm-Woll

The wildcard in all of this is 88.

Cap update ...

If the Leafs carry 12F, 7D and 2G;
And if the Leafs find a taker for Murray;
And if the Leafs sign Sammy to $3M ...

Then they'll have ~50k in Cap space with this roster.

Domi-Matt-Nyla
Bert-Tava-Marn
Knie-Kamp-Jarn
Laff-Holm-Reav
Riel-Brod
McCa-Klin
Gior-Lill
Timm
Samm-Woll

The wildcard in all of this is 88.
- The Law

I think Matthews gets signed first, followed not long after by Nylander. (Willie now likely to be traded today.)
- Canada Cup

The 8th year the Leafs can offer should be making this easier than it is (IMHO).

7x10 on the open market ...okay. Here's 8x9 and we should be good.

If he's digging in at 10Mx8 years then (frank) it ...if a good deal lines up, great ..if not ride it out until one does or worst case you've got 9/10M in extra space next summer.

Also, because I'd be bitter, I'd let him skate with Kampf all year.