Cap keeps going up and Tavares contract is up after this year. I'm honestly fine with re-signing Marner IF he signs for like 10.5 or 11 over 8 years. Maybe even the identical deal as Nylander. He likely thinks (and would get from another team) more than that though.
- PlatosRepucklic

Marner's next contract is supposed to be the biggest payday of his career.

I'd be very surprised to see him sign for anything less than 11 on a long term deal.

Marner's next contract is supposed to be the biggest payday of his career.

I'd be very surprised to see him sign for anything less than 11 on a long term deal.
- Scabeh

$12.5+ is Marner’s next deal easily.

Cap keeps going up and Tavares contract is up after this year. I'm honestly fine with re-signing Marner IF he signs for like 10.5 or 11 over 8 years. Maybe even the identical deal as Nylander. He likely thinks (and would get from another team) more than that though.
- PlatosRepucklic

I expect Marner to sign between 11.8M and 12M/yr, NMC, 8yrs

Yes McDavid has elevated his game to an insane new level this playoff, after years of not. I am hopeful a healthy Matthews can also or Nylander or even Marner assuming he is still here.

I don't think it's insane to be a bit surprised McDavid (being the best player in the world) did it first.

I do agree that guys like McDavid and Dry Saddle hate losing more than the superstars on the Leafs appear to hate losing and that mentality of hating to lose more than liking to win is stronger in Edmonton than Toronto. I also hope Berube and/or other changes to the Leafs can change that too and get Toronto on the path of hating to lose more than liking to win.

We will see.
- Cush29

Agreed. This is a state of mind they need to get to. Ideally the right coaching staff can instill it. I've felt that the Leafs have sort of had kid gloves most of the time - coaches want to make them feel better and bring positivity - but sometimes you need to be told that you f'n suck and it's time to put on your big boy pants. It would be nice if it was happening to more than only Jimmy Vesey.

https://thehockeywriters.com/joseph-woll-deserves-maple-leafs-starting-job-2024-25/
- mr.sir

This is the most accurate part of that entire article:

It is more logical to spend fewer dollars on a tandem than big bucks on an established number one who bumps Woll to the background. The saved cap space would go a long way toward filling other needed roster spots, such as defence. The truth is that we have no idea what the Maple Leafs’ plans are. We will all have to stay tuned, especially as the offseason action ramps up next week with the draft and the beginning of free agency.

I expect Marner to sign between 11.8M and 12M/yr, NMC, 8yrs
- Symba007

On his first UFA contract? As a 100P player? Even $1 million won’t cut it and that puts him at $11.9

It’s his best paying contract of his career and he’ll want it to sit around 10% of the cap at its end… which will be around $12.5 million.

This is the most accurate part of that entire article:

It is more logical to spend fewer dollars on a tandem than big bucks on an established number one who bumps Woll to the background. The saved cap space would go a long way toward filling other needed roster spots, such as defence. The truth is that we have no idea what the Maple Leafs’ plans are. We will all have to stay tuned, especially as the offseason action ramps up next week with the draft and the beginning of free agency.

- Cush29

Yessir. Injuries can plague any player, at any point. You don't bet against that, not while they're still in their prime. 35+? Sure.

Cap keeps going up and Tavares contract is up after this year. I'm honestly fine with re-signing Marner IF he signs for like 10.5 or 11 over 8 years. Maybe even the identical deal as Nylander. He likely thinks (and would get from another team) more than that though.
- PlatosRepucklic

Give him the same as Willy and they can be the new version of Kane and Towes with 2 stars with the same contract (oh except the 2 Hawks got it after earning it by winning a cup).

$12.5+ is Marner’s next deal easily.
- Dozzer

Give him the same as Willy and they can be the new version of Kane and Towes with 2 stars with the same contract (oh except the 2 Hawks got it after earning it by winning a cup).
- Cush29

lol

There’s no way his agent will accept Nylander getting a $4 million raise and Marner only gets $600K

To a player and his agent the player comes first, not the team.

On his first UFA contract? As a 100P player? Even $1 million won’t cut it and that puts him at $11.9

It’s his best paying contract of his career and he’ll want it to sit around 10% of the cap at its end… which will be around $12.5 million.
- Dozzer

Then the Leafs should let someone else pay him that because they can't afford to pay him 12.5M and do all the things they need to do with the other positions IMO.

Then the Leafs should let someone else pay him that because they can't afford to pay him 12.5M and do all the things they need to do with the other positions IMO.
- Cush29

And if he says no to a trade? Just let him walk for nothing?

What’s more important, his talent or the cap space? That’s the question for the team.

lol

There’s no way his agent will accept Nylander getting a $4 million raise and Marner only gets $600K

To a player and his agent the player comes first, not the team.
- Dozzer

And that is the crux of the problem in Toronto because it's not that way on every team. They need to change that mentality somehow and playing hardball with a superstar is likely the only way to do so.

They re-upped Willy and Matthews is locked up and not going anywhere so........

Or they will be unlikely to be able to build the team they need to.

Agents can suck my balls.
Greedy players can lick my taint

Oilers are in the cup final
And the Toronto Maple Leafs aint!

And if he says no to a trade? Just let him walk for nothing?

What’s more important, his talent or the cap space? That’s the question for the team.
- Dozzer

If he wants too much money (more than you can afford) you may have to let him walk OR keep spinning your wheels.

It's the old "too much of a good thing" when you talk about talent because you just can't afford it all AND have the other pieces you need to win.

It would be nice and I'm sure Farmer John would love to have 5 Ferrari's in his garage. The problem is he only has some much money and still needs to plow the fields and harvest the hay so he needs a tractor, a combine and a bailer and the ones he keeps buying from the other farmers just aren't reliable enough to maximize the ROI on his land/crop.

:-)

If he wants too much money (more than you can afford) you may have to let him walk OR keep spinning your wheels.

It's the old "too much of a good thing" when you talk about talent because you just can't afford it all AND have the other pieces you need to win.

It would be nice and I'm sure Farmer John would love to have 5 Ferrari's in his garage. The problem is he only has some much money and still needs to plow the fields and harvest the hay so he needs a tractor, a combine and a bailer and the ones he keeps buying from the other farmers just aren't reliable enough to maximize the ROI on his land/crop.

:-)
- Cush29

It obviously has many variables, but I think they can replace Tavares with a faster younger player that will put up similar (if slightly lower) numbers. It's nothing against him, but I feel like after this year, the Leafs just aren't the team for a 60 point 2nd line centre who isn't a specialist outside of maybe faceoffs. Even at 6mil or whatever, it feels like it's time to move on.

And that is the crux of the problem in Toronto because it's not that way on every team. They need to change that mentality somehow and playing hardball with a superstar is likely the only way to do so.

They re-upped Willy and Matthews is locked up and not going anywhere so........

Or they will be unlikely to be able to build the team they need to.

Agents can suck my balls.
Greedy players can lick my taint

Oilers are in the cup final
And the Toronto Maple Leafs aint!



- Cush29

Who, and someone who has signed last year and beyond, has taken bargain deals for their team now that Covid is done?

Nobody in their prime that’s for sure.

Also taxation plays a roll, 53.53% in Toronto and 37% in Florida for instance. Makes a HUGE difference.

It obviously has many variables, but I think they can replace Tavares with a faster younger player that will put up similar (if slightly lower) numbers. It's nothing against him, but I feel like after this year, the Leafs just aren't the team for a 60 point 2nd line centre who isn't a specialist outside of maybe faceoffs. Even at 6mil or whatever, it feels like it's time to move on.
- AdamFrench

I’d give him $5-6 mill on a one year deal and then sign him the following year at a 35+ bargain deal. He’d be able to play up to that so long as he got truly used as a secondary guy. Not on the primary PP kind of thing.

lol

There’s no way his agent will accept Nylander getting a $4 million raise and Marner only gets $600K

To a player and his agent the player comes first, not the team.
- Dozzer

One was underpaid and one was overpaid. If he honestly wants 12.5 plus you have to let him walk or figure out an amicable trade destination

One was underpaid and one was overpaid. If he honestly wants 12.5 plus you have to let him walk or figure out an amicable trade destination
- PlatosRepucklic

He can just Sundin them and turn the trade idea down. Keep that in mind.

He can just Sundin them and turn the trade idea down. Keep that in mind.
- Dozzer

I will never forgive Sundin for not getting us...Chris Higgins, Grabovsky and a...2nd? Man that was some dark times bullpoop.

He can just Sundin them and turn the trade idea down. Keep that in mind.
- Dozzer

Absolutely. He earned that right. Which is why I also added let him walk. It would suck but it is what it is.

I will never forgive Sundin for not getting us...Chris Higgins, Grabovsky and a...2nd? Man that was some dark times bullpoop.
- AdamFrench

lol that’s still better than nothing

Who, and someone who has signed last year and beyond, has taken bargain deals for their team now that Covid is done?

Nobody in their prime that’s for sure.

Also taxation plays a roll, 53.53% in Toronto and 37% in Florida for instance. Makes a HUGE difference.
- Dozzer

Why does it have to be last year? Contracts that were signed prior to last year still had examples of players taking a bit less to help the team bring in what was needed.

Boston was the team that did this more than anyone but there are certainly other examples.

The Leafs also screwed themselves by paying players (superstars) what most teams would pay a superstar who had been a cup winner - despite the Leafs superstars not having delivered anything even close to it.

That + flat cap with covid killed and is still killing the Leafs - it's time for a level set in some way, completely understand that it won't be easy or fun and may mean the loss of a superstar but I'm ok with that if it gets the team in a position to get the balance they need.

Absolutely. He earned that right. Which is why I also added let him walk. It would suck but it is what it is.
- PlatosRepucklic

Yeah I agree but it’s my genuine curiousity… will they let him walk? I’m interested to find out.

Why does it have to be last year? Contracts that were signed prior to last year still had examples of players taking a bit less to help the team bring in what was needed.

Boston was the team that did this more than anyone but there are certainly other examples.

The Leafs also screwed themselves by paying players (superstars) what most teams would pay a superstar who had been a cup winner - despite the Leafs superstars not having delivered anything even close to it.

That + flat cap with covid killed and is still killing the Leafs - it's time for a level set in some way, completely understand that it won't be easy or fun and may mean the loss of a superstar but I'm ok with that if it gets the team in a position to get the balance they need.
- Cush29

Why? Because the Covid lockdown cut down raises that’s why. Now that the cap will be going up 4.5-5% a year the agents will base everything they do off of that.

As I said, they don’t put the team’s cap first, no one cept old boys still willing to play does that.