Now for the sake of discussion.

Do you actually want Tavares on a new contract past this year?

Even if he takes a significan paycut (let's say he agrees to 7M per season), he's a player that's obviously slowing down and isn't going to help you much at 5 on 5, could even be switched to a winger to compensate for his lack of speed.

Is that really how you want to spend that money? Wouldn't the leafs be better off targeting another player instead?

I'm not saying he should leave, he's still a good player. But I think the Leafs definetely need to consider their options with the Snake.
- Scabeh

I definatley don't want him at 7 per year (frank) no

BUT

If the guy who took a lesser payment when he was a UFA to 'come home' (and anyone who says he couldn't have got more $ elsewhere is full of poop, it was very well publicized he could have) and is a fantastic faceoff guy (even if he was moved to the wing he can still take draws) and almost still a point per game guy can be re-signed for a VERY team friendly deal then yes I want him back.

To me it's a max of 4M per year and it's a max of 3 years - but I'd prefer less on both ends.

From the tweeter

"According to Marek, Marner, Tavares and Rielly are “on the table” while Matthews and Nylander are untouchable:

In your example, a supporting player.
But hes already extended, for too much as i already mentioned. At least he scores in the playoffs
But no need to overpay another winger.....who doesnt score in the playoffs
- Fakepartofme

Marner scored in the playoffs.

And let’s be honest, Willy throws everything on net, and two of the goals we’re lucky.

His breakaway goal (when they were already up 2-1) was nice tho.

From the tweeter

"According to Marek, Marner, Tavares and Rielly are “on the table” while Matthews and Nylander are untouchable:
- Fakepartofme

Rielly and Tavares were garbage.

I was the only one saying this repeatedly.

$7M? ..is a quick no.

RoR, younger than JT, just signed for about 4.5M.

With JT, assuming he won't waive (why would he), you measure him next summer after you see what he does this year. Maybe he's a $3M 3C ...or a $4M middle 6 winger/scorer ...or maybe he's just not a fit.
- The Law

ROR is a good example that a down year didn't mean he was falling off a cliff.

JT was a ppg player before this season.

His fancy stats were really good last year and show he was pretty unlucky.

This "JT is falling off a cliff" is absurd.

From the tweeter

"According to Marek, Marner, Tavares and Rielly are “on the table” while Matthews and Nylander are untouchable:
- Fakepartofme

If Tavares could be moved (and is willing to) then great, thats the move. I just dont see it.

Rielly, dont care either way, he is what he is. paid fine for what he provides. its not really his fault the GM has never really added a true #1 so he doesnt have to be that.

Go check my annual predictions and you'll see I'm usually right. But don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.

And if that's the case, he'll retire a loser and the Leafs will be at year 63 since 1967.
- Rare_Jewel

Uh no I'm not interested in going to check your predictions thanks that's not what was being discussed nor what your incredibly wrong about (although there is a fair bit in that bucket).

You are wrong in thinking JT gets moved, it won't happen.

Just like your idiotic and wrong takes about Quenville not being a POS and not knowing full well what he should have done and didn't do.

But don't let your own stories in your head get in the way of reality.

Rielly and Tavares were garbage.

I was the only one saying this repeatedly.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Rielly hasn't ever had anybody to play with consistently. And he's younger.

The one time he played great he had Schenn and the Leafs were too stupid to keep him.

I think with a better coach (Quenneville, Keith did very well under him) and a better D partner, Rielly can be more effectively utilized.

He still can't play shutdown D but he'll be more useful to the team than Tavares will be at his age.

Dont worry man. They will. When the leafs bottom out this year into a top end pick like Makar while having Matthews on the team, they will trade off pieces to fill in for those picks. Gotta copy the champion type of teams right?

They either bottom out while having top end talent for MORE top end talent or trade away picks for players like Vegas.
- Aaron_85

They cant (or hopefully shouldn't) bottom out this up coming year...no picks.
And theyve never traded picks for players like vegas has. Maybe ror comes the closest

Marner scored in the playoffs.

And let’s be honest, Willy throws everything on net, and two of the goals we’re lucky.

His breakaway goal (when they were already up 2-1) was nice tho.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Thats fine.
Ill take lucky goals over no goals or fancy moves that lead to a turnover or no play.
I like marner, but we cant pay him 12m for he brings in the playoffs.
Not unless the cap is 105m

Rielly hasn't ever had anybody to play with consistently. And he's younger.

The one time he played great he had Schenn and the Leafs were too stupid to keep him.

I think with a better coach (Quenneville, Keith did very well under him) and a better D partner, Rielly can be more effectively utilized.

He still can't play shutdown D but he'll be more useful to the team than Tavares will be at his age.
- Rare_Jewel

Q aint happening.
Let it go.
Problem with morgan, he shouldn't need a partner to make him better, he was supposed to be the guy that was gonna make his partners better

Thats fine.
Ill lucky goals over no goals or fancy moves that lead to a turnover or no play.
I like marner, but we pay him 12m for he brings in the playoffs.
Not unless the cap is 105m
- Fakepartofme

The fancy amazing MM plays like the Knies goal helps over a series, it can happen once or twice...but one thing is for sure they do not happen when the series is on the line.

Marner has never been able to score important goals.

Q aint happening.
Let it go.
Problem with morgan, he shouldn't need a partner to make him better, he was supposed to be the guy that was gonna make his partners better
- Fakepartofme

7.5M a year isn't "here is a 3rd pairing D now make that a top pairing"

$7M? ..is a quick no.

RoR, younger than JT, just signed for about 4.5M.

With JT, assuming he won't waive (why would he), you measure him next summer after you see what he does this year. Maybe he's a $3M 3C ...or a $4M middle 6 winger/scorer ...or maybe he's just not a fit.
- The Law

He did. After posting 30 points the year before. Down from the little less than 60 points season he had.

O'Reilly turned into a bargain because he had a horrid last season in St-Louis.

ROR is a good example that a down year didn't mean he was falling off a cliff.

JT was a ppg player before this season.

His fancy stats were really good last year and show he was pretty unlucky.

This "JT is falling off a cliff" is absurd.
- Santo_44

Falling off a cliff is exaggerated.

But is he slowing down? Yes. Will his production go back to being a ppg player? I'm not sure.

The fancy amazing MM plays like the Knies goal helps over a series, it can happen once or twice...but one thing is for sure they do not happen when the series is on the line.

Marner has never been able to score important goals.
- Santo_44

Marner would be amazing if he could do his fancy moves in the playoffs. If he could still fight through less space and ice....but he doesn't or cant.

Thats fine.
Ill take lucky goals over no goals or fancy moves that lead to a turnover or no play.
I like marner, but we cant pay him 12m for he brings in the playoffs.
Not unless the cap is 105m
- Fakepartofme

Id just play hardball with Marner...he got an overpay last time and has poop the bed when the team needed him to step up. He can stay if the wants to actually give a home town discount, otherwise let him know its not happening here..time to move on.

if they moved MM/JT and MR thats a huge shake up

He did. After posting 30 points the year before. Down from the little less than 60 points season he had.

O'Reilly turned into a bargain because he had a horrid last season in St-Louis.
- Scabeh

Bergeron had 53 points in 80 games when he was 33.

His next 3 season combined? Well over a point per game.

JT was pretty damn unlucky.

No reason to believe he won't get 70-80 points next year.

Id just play hardball with Marner...he got an overpay last time and has poop the bed when the team needed him to step up. He can stay if the wants to actually give a home town discount, otherwise let him know its not happening here..time to move on.

if they moved MM/JT and MR thats a huge shake up
- senstroll

Posted it earlier.

it is either 7 years or 8 years for Marner.

Said team that trades for him will only need to pay Marner 750K this year, he will get PAID if he accepts a trade. Pretty easy to convince an owner to pay MM 100M for 8 years when his first year comes at a 750K price tag.

Much more than he would waiting for free agency and getting 7 years.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Especially the retire a Leaf part.
- fifty__missions

Who will take on his 11M cap hit for next year? And if anyone was willing to do so I would assume it's a terrible contract coming back so what's the point? What message does that send to potential UFA's?

Now retire as a Leaf sure he could go somewhere else but I very much think he wants to remain in Toronto and that gives them the upper hand in determining what they will pay him (a rare occurrence in Toronto).

Time will tell but I'd be happy to bet he's a Leaf until his current deal runs out for sure.

Marner would be amazing if he could do his fancy moves in the playoffs. If he could still fight through less space and ice....but he doesn't or cant.
- Fakepartofme

The goal he scored was exactly that.

Matthews left the game already, Willy was out, Mitch all on his own netted a beauty.

Slow down.
I forgot to add a "not".
You do NOT pay a supporting player 12m.
- Fakepartofme

Absolutely agree.

Q aint happening.
Let it go.
Problem with morgan, he shouldn't need a partner to make him better, he was supposed to be the guy that was gonna make his partners better
- Fakepartofme

If they don't get Quenneville, they're stupid.

Rielly was never going to be that player. He was always a high flying, skating, offensive D. Anybody that was expecting him to be a franchise D who made everybody better wasn't paying attention. He's a 7 million offensive D. If he was what you expected, he'd be making 10+ a year winning trophies. He's a top pair offensive LHD.

There are some decent UFA available.
If the leaf had an extra 30 mil to spend

Who will take on his 11M cap hit for next year? And if anyone was willing to do so I would assume it's a terrible contract coming back so what's the point? What message does that send to potential UFA's?

Now retire as a Leaf sure he could go somewhere else but I very much think he wants to remain in Toronto and that gives them the upper hand in determining what they will pay him (a rare occurrence in Toronto).

Time will tell but I'd be happy to bet he's a Leaf until his current deal runs out for sure.
- Cush29

Plenty of teams out there who could take Tavares at 700K. Because after his signing bonus, he gets paid next to nothing. The cap hit, for a team like Buffalo wouldn't be a problem if the Leafs take a player like Greenway or Clifton back. And Oakville is close to Buffalo.