Or he wants a 3 year big money deal and signs a sunset dream 30 year old contract? Who knows!
- AdamFrench

Maybe ...although he'd be 31 when he started the sunset dream deal.

Matthews is the only guy (in that elite category) to go short like that ...although he'll be 30 in his next UFA summer.

Every other guy (in that elite category) at 27-29 has gone 7 or 8 years.

Although, I'll give you this ...88 does seem the type to bet on himself again.

So if you're Willie ...

You leave your home and teammates in Toronto and the $80M on the table to go to Chicago for $84M?

This doesn't really happen very often in the NHL.
- The Law

have we talked about tax rates?
comes up every time

I don't know man, maybe being all sentimental is a flaw in a Dubas way, but we drafted the guys. We finally drafted star talent, that's among the best and elite of the league in today's game. Can't remember this since Clark in what 86? I want to win with the guys we brought along and have them set league and franchise records, just sad that they can't win much of anytbing at all in the playoffs.

Well you are not letting walk for nothing, you're getting cap space in return.
- dmnted

Not a fan of this argument.

You do realize that if Willy walks for nothing but you get Cap space you now have only one option for the type of player you can get...UFAs ONLY. Can't trade Cap space so you're only getting an potentially overpriced Free Agent.

But if you use the player in a trade and don't let him walk, you open up every possible option: signed players with good deals from other teams, prospects, picks ...all of them, not just UFAs.

He has a ton of value in a trade even as a UFA. Why get nothing BUT Cap space?

Not a fan of this argument.

You do realize that if Willy walks for nothing but you get Cap space you now have only one option for the type of player you can get...UFAs ONLY. Can't trade Cap space so you're only getting an potentially overpriced Free Agent.

But if you use the player in a trade and don't let him walk, you open up every possible option: signed players with good deals from other teams, prospects, picks ...all of them, not just UFAs.

He has a ton of value in a trade even as a UFA. Why get nothing BUT Cap space?
- underhill14

In all fairness this team, and the fans patience levels, need this team to win now. Nylander on the roster gives this the absolute best chance of doing that unless you're getting Hedman Dahlin Hughes or Makar in return to play defense.

Agreed ...and Willie knows that. Getting that 8th year is worth something and lets him and the Leafs lower his AAV from the 7 yr market value. He wants to win so it works for both sides.
- The Law

How old is Willy?

Maybe he doesn't want 8yrs. Maybe he wants 4 years so he has a shot at a full 8yr contract in his early 30s??

Not a fan of this argument.

You do realize that if Willy walks for nothing but you get Cap space you now have only one option for the type of player you can get...UFAs ONLY. Can't trade Cap space so you're only getting an potentially overpriced Free Agent.

But if you use the player in a trade and don't let him walk, you open up every possible option: signed players with good deals from other teams, prospects, picks ...all of them, not just UFAs.

He has a ton of value in a trade even as a UFA. Why get nothing BUT Cap space?
- underhill14

It's hard to have this debate in a vacuum. What kind of offers can you get at the TDL? How does trading Willie for "things" impact the rest of the team? What teams are going all in on a 88 rental (only teams trying to win this year) and giving the Leafs what they want?

The Leafs are trying to win it all. The variables leading to a trade ...mean there's next to 0% chance it could happen even if they were open to it.

If they were going this route it would've happen last summer.

Robidas Island. Didn't you get the invite?
- GalacticStone

🤣

It's hard to have this debate in a vacuum. What kind of offers can you get at the TDL? How does trading Willie for "things" impact the rest of the team? What teams are going all in on a 88 rental (only teams trying to win this year) and giving the Leafs what they want?

The Leafs are trying to win it all. The variables leading to a trade ...mean there's next to 0% chance it could happen even if they were open to it.

If they were going this route it would've happen last summer.
- The Law

I think trading Nylander woukd be a massive blow and what the (frank) moment for the rest of the team. You make a solid point. The players on the ice don't give a crap about picks and prospects they want to win now and want to know everyone above them making decisions have their backs and are all in now.

How old is Willy?

Maybe he doesn't want 8yrs. Maybe he wants 4 years so he has a shot at a full 8yr contract in his early 30s??
- underhill14

The internet tells us he'll be 28 next spring. So a 4 year deal puts him to 32. I'm certain his agent will advise him that the chance of a home run 8 yr deal at 32 is at best ...super (frank)ing risky.

As I posted above ..maybe it happens ..but 28 yr old studs have (to date) always signed full term. Matthews was unique ..he was 26 so a 4 yr deal puts him at 30 and he's a horse-unicorn .... a uni-horse.

Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
·
13m
Source confirms: Lance Lynn to Cardinals, one year, $10M. First:
@JeffPassan
.

______________________

#Dominoes

Ohtani to the Jays #Confirmed

Guys. They're not trading him. It's ride and or die.
- AdamFrench

☝️This pretty much sums it up I think.

I think trading Nylander woukd be a massive blow and what the (frank) moment for the rest of the team. You make a solid point. The players on the ice don't give a crap about picks and prospects they want to win now and want to know everyone above them making decisions have their backs and are all in now.
- systemtool

For sure, 100%. I think the 'gotta get something' narrative comes from a certain type of person. People hard wired to avoid risk.

It's hard to have this debate in a vacuum. What kind of offers can you get at the TDL? How does trading Willie for "things" impact the rest of the team? What teams are going all in on a 88 rental (only teams trying to win this year) and giving the Leafs what they want?

The Leafs are trying to win it all. The variables leading to a trade ...mean there's next to 0% chance it could happen even if they were open to it.

If they were going this route it would've happen last summer.
- The Law

I think trading Nylander woukd be a massive blow and what the (frank) moment for the rest of the team. You make a solid point. The players on the ice don't give a crap about picks and prospects they want to win now and want to know everyone above them making decisions have their backs and are all in now.
- systemtool

I'm not saying I don't agree with you guys, just hate the walk for nothing = Cap space being a good thing argument. Feels like bad asset management and a loss to me no matter how I try to spin it.

The internet tells us he'll be 28 next spring. So a 4 year deal puts him to 32. I'm certain his agent will advise him that the chance of a home run 8 yr deal at 32 is at best ...super (frank)ing risky.

As I posted above ..maybe it happens ..but 28 yr old studs have (to date) always signed full term. Matthews was unique ..he was 26 so a 4 yr deal puts him at 30 and he's a horse-unicorn.
- The Law

Definitely a risky move, but Nylander seems to like to bet on himself and go for the big $$$.

Just thought there could be a slim chance that it is an option in whatever is going on.

For sure, 100%. I think the 'gotta get something' narrative comes from a certain type of person. People hard wired to avoid risk.
- The Law

plus as much as we need the defensive help it's more often the offense that let's us down.. can we afford to trade someone clearly blowing up in his prime for this years playoffs?

I'm not saying I don't agree with you guys, just hate the walk for nothing = Cap space being a good thing argument. Feels like bad asset management and a loss to me no matter how I try to spin it.




Definitely a risky move, but Nylander seems to like to bet on himself and go for the big $$$.

Just thought there could be a slim chance that it is an option in whatever is going on.
- underhill14

Trust me I see both sides of the argument.

Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
·
13m
Source confirms: Lance Lynn to Cardinals, one year, $10M. First:
@JeffPassan
.

______________________

#Dominoes

Ohtani to the Jays #Confirmed
- GreatGigInTheSky

Ben Nicholson-Smith
@bnicholsonsmith
Early this winter Blue Jays showing real interest in some big names, including top free agent pitchers per sources.

Bats still Jays’ priority, but they’re keeping possibilities open. Active in trade market, too.

Doesn’t mean they land a star, but it's at least on the table.

there is a certain player that fills both bats and pitcher needs

https://thebeaverton.com/...XlVauC0jie6eeOJM6SamZPq-I

I mean . . .

https://thebeaverton.com/...XlVauC0jie6eeOJM6SamZPq-I

I mean . . .
- Monkeypunk

“It takes a brave man to acknowledge that a guy near the top of league scoring should be re-signed. And I am that brave man.”

I'm not saying I don't agree with you guys, just hate the walk for nothing = Cap space being a good thing argument. Feels like bad asset management and a loss to me no matter how I try to spin it.




Definitely a risky move, but Nylander seems to like to bet on himself and go for the big $$$.

Just thought there could be a slim chance that it is an option in whatever is going on.
- underhill14

I dont see willie being traded in season unless talks have really fallen apart.
He signs or does a sign and trade scenario at the end of season.
In all the years weve had willie, this has been his best stretch, he'll come back down to earth and level off.

"There is more honour in admitting a mistake than defending it,” said Williamson. “And that is why I fully retract my near decade long stance that William Nylander is a soft pretty-boy who the Leafs should trade for a back-up goalie and shot blocking D man.”

bahahahahahaha

I'm actually liking the Domi and Bert moves more as the season progresses. Still not hating on the Reaves signing, dislike the term, but think he's got some use when needed.

I'm actually liking the Domi and Bert moves more as the season progresses. Still not hating on the Reaves signing, dislike the term, but think he's got some use when needed.
- systemtool

I told many here that patience with both players was needed.

Not every player fits a system from day one. Both guys bring something the Leafs needed and, if they play to the best of their abilities, they should help plenty.

Agreed ...and Willie knows that. Getting that 8th year is worth something and lets him and the Leafs lower his AAV from the 7 yr market value. He wants to win so it works for both sides.
- The Law

If it's all about maximizing money, and Toronto's going offer lower than market value on an 8-year deal, then he can sign a 7-year deal for the same total amount in a place that is most tax friendly (that can fit him).

https://thebeaverton.com/...XlVauC0jie6eeOJM6SamZPq-I

I mean . . .
- Monkeypunk

“I was wrong. My hatred blinded me. Created a situation where every mistake was magnified in my mind. Every success explained away. I don’t know why I was so cruel to young William and though I know he never saw my tweets calling him a “preening wannabee who wouldn’t know what a backcheck was if it came with a tub of hair gel,” I still want to offer my apologies. If he re-signs I promise to never speak about him so cruelly.”

only if some poster would do this.