I'm sure we'll all have quite the chuckle if Nylander does a "Hubredeau" and struggles to start next year. City will implode.

I'm sure we'll all have quite the chuckle if Nylander does a "Hubredeau" and struggles to start next year. City will implode.
- Pelle31Forever

Well, it's a contract year and he's doing great. Happens all the time. I still can't believe how badly Huberdeau has regressed.

A large part of building a winning team is to have elite players. The Leafs have been fortunate enough to arguably draft 3 elite forwards. What would you have done different with the Nylander situation? Not re-sign him? Trade him? The issue is not the signing of elite players, it's building depth and a quality defense. Having 3 elite level forwards is a good start. They just haven't been able to build around them.
- MJL

They had a very strong supporting cast last year and the big 4 no showed the second round. I’m not saying they have always had the best supporting cast but 6-7 years of them failing has majority to do with the core players.

I personally think that the idea is to out score all the issues on the back end. Minimal investment on d without a true stud back there and pray for one of their bargain goalies to get hot. I mean, Samsonov won their only series and he's now in the A. Just onto the next guy and pray.
- Hextall271

That's exactly their strategy, keep filling in the gaps and pray really hard that works.

Rough numbers...if the cap does go up 4m, they have 21m or so in cap space with 4 RFAs. Even a quick estimate of using 10m of that...that's 11m to completely revamp their D, goaltending and still have to fill in depth on forward.

That's a lot of work to do with very little. Will they figure it out, sure, but it's going to end up the same...a bunch of washed up cheap replacements and lots of hope.

To me, the difference with Chicago is that those core players delivered 3 cups. I am ok to pay them within reason although they should have cut bait earlier it appears. The Leafs are massively paying 4 or 5 guys eating up 51 mil of the 87 cap for reg season success. They've won one round in total. They can't afford to fill out a roster that's needed for depth to win in the playoffs. It's ludicrous.
- Hextall271

Totally agree on the difference. But Chicago's big three didn't have to take big deals and maybe could have won or contended for more cups. They wanted to get paid and they deserved to get paid. I just have respect for Crosby and the way he took less for the team.

That's exactly their strategy, keep filling in the gaps and pray really hard that works.

Rough numbers...if the cap does go up 4m, they have 21m or so in cap space with 4 RFAs. Even a quick estimate of using 10m of that...that's 11m to completely revamp their D, goaltending and still have to fill in depth on forward.

That's a lot of work to do with very little. Will they figure it out, sure, but it's going to end up the same...a bunch of washed up cheap replacements and lots of hope.
- Glak18

So it's more like 54 mil for 5 players as of now, but JT does come off the books after next year. I didn't even account for the RFAs wanting raises. Tampa is paying 3 guys 9.5 mil, another 8.5 mil, 6.2 and another 5.2. So they're paying their top 4 less and they have recent B2B cups and a SCF loss on their resume. Also, one big 4 is a dman and another a goalie so they have it spread. Makes more sense to me.

Totally agree on the difference. But Chicago's big three didn't have to take big deals and maybe could have won or contended for more cups. They wanted to get paid and they deserved to get paid. I just have respect for Crosby and the way he took less for the team.
- WhiskeyMan

Bergeron did that too and I am fine with that. Doesn't appear that Nylander was going to go for the hometown discount. Basically gave him the farm. Full NTC.

He really has. I’ve been waiting for some of your team to fall back to earth a little bit but if he’s healthy, he’s a horse. Can debate the contract and merits of it in relation to team building and organization direction until you’re blue in the face, but when he’s on the ice he’s positively impacting every game
- stayinthefnnet

I've referred to Coots as the "accidental superstar" in the past because some of his goals were not necessarily highlight reel worthy. But I have really seen his importance to this team more so this year. His hockey IQ has always been high. He seems to make the right play 97% of the time. But his stick work defensively is a thing to behold. Just a steady presence on the ice. And he continues to contribute offensively.

I would still like to see us acquire an elite scoring center.

Not sure why Coots doesn't at least have an "A" on his jersey. But who the hell knows with Torts.

I've referred to Coots as the "accidental superstar" in the past because some of his goals were not necessarily highlight reel worthy. But I have really seen his importance to this team more so this year. His hockey IQ has always been high. He seems to make the right play 97% of the time. But his stick work defensively is a thing to behold. Just a steady presence on the ice. And he continues to contribute offensively.

I would still like to see us acquire an elite scoring center.

Not sure why Coots doesn't at least have an "A" on his jersey. But who the hell knows with Torts.
- cdearth23

Absolutely spot on on all points. I think it's absurd that Laughton wears an A but coots isn't worthy. His play at both ends is strong and he sets a great example with his D, which you would think Torts would like. Seems like it's just a mind game.

To me, the difference with Chicago is that those core players delivered 3 cups.
- Hextall271

Chicago also had Duncan Keith on a good number because he signed a 13 year contract which isn’t even legal anymore.

It will be fascinating going forward with who has success in the NHL. Now that players are looking out for themselves and not really taking team friendly deals, can a team out depth one of the top heavy star driven teams?

Well, it's a contract year and he's doing great. Happens all the time. I still can't believe how badly Huberdeau has regressed.
- Hextall271

No one seems to learn that you can't keep giving guys these deals that pay them significant dollars well into their 30's. Flyers will learn a hard lesson with both Couturier and TK.....

No one seems to learn that you can't keep giving guys these deals that pay them significant dollars well into their 30's. Flyers will learn a hard lesson with both Couturier and TK.....
- mr4tno

no they will not. been doing it for decades.

To me, the difference with Chicago is that those core players delivered 3 cups. I am ok to pay them within reason although they should have cut bait earlier it appears. The Leafs are massively paying 4 or 5 guys eating up 51 mil of the 87 cap for reg season success. They've won one round in total. They can't afford to fill out a roster that's needed for depth to win in the playoffs. It's ludicrous.
- Hextall271

But, interestingly, NOT after they signed the BIG deals. In fact, and this WILL change now that the cap is going up, no team has ever won the cup with a player who had an 8 figure cap hit until Vegas did it last year with Eichel at exactly 10 million.

But, interestingly, NOT after they signed the BIG deals. In fact, and this WILL change now that the cap is going up, no team has ever won the cup with a player who had an 8 figure cap hit until Vegas did it last year with Eichel at exactly 10 million.
- MBFlyerfan

Vegas is a bit different given how they had a favorable expansion break in etc, but really it’s going to be about having your stars line up with supporting pieces in place for a superstar on an ELC deal.

Obviously the counter to that is that if you had those pieces in place you wouldn’t be drafting that high in the first place. But hey, someone’s gotta win it each year.

Agreed. Its the over payment. Chicago had to do it with their big three and were never the same. Edmonton will have to pay Draisaital soon, they will not be any closer to the cup after they do.

As a Flyers fan I Crosby but the way he never took a large contract so they could build around him is just great move.
- WhiskeyMan

This where you need to understand the salary cap and how it works. A player cares about his salary, not his AAV. Crosby's current deal was signed back in July 2012 and his first year salary in the deal was 12M! Signed over 11 years ago. To put it in perspective, currently this season, only 7 players make a higher salary than that. The reason why his AAV is low, is back then you could at the end of a deal add in back diving low salary years to lower the cap hit. Crosby has 3 years at the end where his salary is only 3M a year. The league closed that loophole and now you can no longer do that. AAV stands for average annual value. Many teams did this with top players. It was also a 12 year deal, while now the max you can sign your own player to is 8 years. The length of time also makes it seem cheaper but it was not. It was a massive contract.

Crosby's deal was a huge deal and he didn't do the Pens any favors with the deal.

I also agree that one of their elites should of been traded, but also believe they are responsible for putting themselves in the position of having few options. Obviously you could let him walk and use that cap space, but it's not guaranteed you will get what is needed without overpaying.

As for Nylander, I look at TK in a similar way. You DO NOT wait until the final year unless you know you can get the assets that make up for what is being lost. Nylander now, with a NTC, is absolutely unmovable now...he is a Leaf for the next 9 years unless there's a huge compromise on the Leafs end.

This signing says to me that everyone making decisions think the team they have RIGHT NOW is good enough.
- Glak18

First of all, a player can't be re-signed to a new contract until he is in the final year of his current deal. I don't think it means they think they're good enough now. It's an 8 year deal. It means they see him as a long term building block and part of the core moving forward.

Do you think Reilley is the 23rd best dman in the league or does he produce a lot of points because he plays with those forwards. I don't think he's worth that at all. Regardless, the 4 plus he account for somewhere in the neighborhood of 51 mil of the cap. Absurd. My point exactly is that they are overpaying these guys for minimal return in the playoffs and can't afford to fill out the roster properly as you mention is the requirement. The roster construction is fatally flawed.
- Hextall271

I don't think Reilly is in the league with Makar, Fox, Quinn or Hedman but he's a very good player and he is worth his cap hit. They aren't overpaying those players. It's market value for the players they are. I agree there is an issue overall with their roster construction.

This where you need to understand the salary cap and how it works. A player cares about his salary, not his AAV. Crosby's current deal was signed back in July 2012 and his first year salary in the deal was 12M! Signed over 11 years ago. To put it in perspective, currently this season, only 7 players make a higher salary than that. The reason why his AAV is low, is back then you could at the end of a deal add in back diving low salary years to lower the cap hit. Crosby has 3 years at the end where his salary is only 3M a year. The league closed that loophole and now you can no longer do that. AAV stands for average annual value. Many teams did this with top players.

Crosby's deal was a huge deal and he didn't do the Pens any favors with the deal.
- MJL

another condescending I am better than you post.

I don't think Reilly is in the league with Makar, Fox, Quinn or Hedman but he's a very good player and he is worth his cap hit. They aren't overpaying those players. It's market value for the players they are. I agree there is an issue overall with their roster construction.
- MJL

what would you to fix or address it? offer a solution cliff.

They had a very strong supporting cast last year and the big 4 no showed the second round. I’m not saying they have always had the best supporting cast but 6-7 years of them failing has majority to do with the core players.
- ClaudeFather

It was a 5 game series where 4 of the games were decided by 1 goal.

In the 23 playoffs, in 11 games. Marner had 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Matthews had 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points. Taveras had 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and Nylander had 4 and 6 for 10 points. As a defenseman, Morgan Reilly had 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 11 games.

It was a 5 game series where 4 of the games were decided by 1 goal.

In the 23 playoffs, in 11 games. Marner had 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Matthews had 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points. Taveras had 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and Nylander had 4 and 6 for 10 points. As a defenseman, Morgan Reilly had 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 11 games.
- MJL

What were there numbers against Florida?

Absolutely spot on on all points. I think it's absurd that Laughton wears an A but coots isn't worthy. His play at both ends is strong and he sets a great example with his D, which you would think Torts would like. Seems like it's just a mind game.
- Hextall271

initially I am ok with it, Coots didn't need the added pressure, plus you didn't know if he would be back healthy, no need for the drama. Now you could do it but why rock the boat. It would not surprise me if Coots told them to hold off.

Not feeling too good about this game tonight. Not sure why but I get the feeling they're going to have a hard time with Pitt's big 5 players tonight.

This where you need to understand the salary cap and how it works. A player cares about his salary, not his AAV. Crosby's current deal was signed back in July 2012 and his first year salary in the deal was 12M! Signed over 11 years ago. To put it in perspective, currently this season, only 7 players make a higher salary than that. The reason why his AAV is low, is back then you could at the end of a deal add in back diving low salary years to lower the cap hit. Crosby has 3 years at the end where his salary is only 3M a year. The league closed that loophole and now you can no longer do that. AAV stands for average annual value. Many teams did this with top players.

Crosby's deal was a huge deal and he didn't do the Pens any favors with the deal.
- MJL

Crosby took less money in 2008 so Pitt could pay players like Malkin and Stall when they were do for extensions. So yes his contract did do Pitt favors. And it still helping them today with a low cap hit.

But I bow to the all knowing hockey god who knows all!

What were there numbers against Florida?
- ClaudeFather

I don't know but can't be much. The Leafs only scored 10 goals in 5 games. Obviously not enough.