Growing up, I used to watch Commander Tom on Saturday mornings for the cartoons. It was a Buffalo station. Every weekend, during commercial breaks, I used to hear, "A fire rages in downtown Tonawanda, more on news at noon" ALL the time.

. . .and as a seven or eight year old child, I remember thinking, "Someone should put that fire out."
- Monkeypunk

I guess it hasn't stopped.

I'm curious to see what happens in September, if either side opts out of the current CBA.

If they do, I think that greatly benefits the leafs in the Marner negotiations. The idea of missing out on an entire years pay due to lockout would be enough pressure on Marner to bridge the gap and get a long term deal signed.
- Leafs43

I think if either side triggers the opt out this September then the CBA ends summer 2020 instead of 2022. Maybe that impacts the term that these RFA's want to sign for ...maybe they want to wait to see if either side opts out?

Haven't heard much about it from the talking heads.

Kuch signed a while ago and is older
Stone is older and overpaid - has never sniffed 80pts let alone 90. Not a comparable.

Aho's contract should lower marners per year average.

hopefully.
- Fakepartofme

Kucherov and Stone are both better players..now (if you care about contributions to winning Offensivly and defensively and not just points). and signed away UFA years.

Kuch signed a while ago and is older
Stone is older and overpaid - has never sniffed 80pts let alone 90. Not a comparable.

Aho's contract should lower marners per year average.

hopefully.
- Fakepartofme

Kuch's deal starts this year. It's 2019 $$$. But I agree he was selling years 26 - 33 whereas Marner is selling years 22- ...

Berglund was just on The Fan 590 and said hes always wanted to be a Leaf
- RippedFuel

Garth, I can see you through the reverse peephole

I think if either side triggers the opt out this September then the CBA ends summer 2020 instead of 2022. Maybe that impacts the term that these RFA's want to sign for ...maybe they want to wait to see if either side opts out?

Haven't heard much about it from the talking heads.
- The Law

That's what I'm thinking. If neither side opts out everything continues as usual. If one of them does opt out, the risk of a lockout in 2020/2021 may push these RFAs to sacrifice cap dollars and term in favour of a guaranteed bonus during the possible lockout.

Matthews isn't a leader.
Captain has nothing to do with being best player on the team.
He's a kid - need a more mature and balanced person for the C.
- MaximusAurelius

Don’t need a letter to be a leader. Give it to Matthews. JT will do JT things in the locker room anyway v

Kuch's deal starts this year. It's 2019 $$$. But I agree he was selling years 26 - 33 whereas Marner is selling years 22- ...
- The Law

but also how many RFA vs UFA years

Kucherov and Stone are both better players..now (if you care about contributions to winning Offensivly and defensively and not just points). and signed away UFA years.
- senstroll

It's tough to know for sure but I think those UFA years are bigger ...but then by age 33? or so they probably start bringing the AAV down due to science/age type poop.

So maybe peak earning years are after RFA years and before decline ....maybe 27-31.

Hoping that logic works in any Muzzin and/or Barrie negotiations.

That's what I'm thinking. If neither side opts out everything continues as usual. If one of them does opt out, the risk of a lockout in 2020/2021 may push these RFAs to sacrifice cap dollars and term in favour of a guaranteed bonus during the possible lockout.
- Leafs43

Very true ...

but also how many RFA vs UFA years
- senstroll

Yup ...think I was saying the same thing in my other posts. Earning is limited by RFA designation ...then they hit best earning years ....then it's limited by the science of aging (and marriage/kids/beer/golf/etc....).

Matthews isn't a leader.
Captain has nothing to do with being best player on the team.
He's a kid - need a more mature and balanced person for the C.
- MaximusAurelius

I agree with this. The way Matthews pouted and sulked after all the recent playoff losses is a troubling sign. Complained about his ice time, then pouted.

Basically said "we would have won if I would have played more".

That's not a guy Id want wearing the C.

They're going to wait for Matthews to lose all his hair before he gets the C, just like they did with Sundin.

I agree with this. The way Matthews pouted and sulked after all the recent playoff losses is a troubling sign. Complained about his ice time, then pouted.

Basically said "we would have won if I would have played more".

That's not a guy Id want wearing the C.
- RippedFuel

Well done, for all your hard work and dedication you deserve this;

I agree with this. The way Matthews pouted and sulked after all the recent playoff losses is a troubling sign. Complained about his ice time, then pouted.

Basically said "we would have won if I would have played more".

That's not a guy Id want wearing the C.
- RippedFuel

Never once did he complain about ice-time. He was asked directly about it and did not answer.

Never once did he complain about ice-time. He was asked directly about it and did not answer.
- RogerRoeper

It's far more fun to just make random poop up.

Like saying the Sabres are good or that Eichel is a good captain. See? It's funny..

Never once did he complain about ice-time. He was asked directly about it and did not answer.
- RogerRoeper

Wrong. The articles were out there. He complained and pouted so much that the coach had to make a special trip to his home to talk him off the ledge.

Lets not revise history.

Based on what? Marner has led the team in scoring 2 years in a row and trending upward. He's also very good defensively.
- BestRapperAlive

Just my opinion, man. I think Marner is electric and exciting to watch. I just think AM and JT are better players.

- JT has been a star in the league for years. Constantly putting up good numbers. He’s made players around him better his whole career, not just one season. Also good enough for Team Canada is pretty solid reasoning also.

- AM scores. He’s a Centre. He scores at 5v5. Not too sure the stat but since coming into the league he’s amongst the top 3 I think. He stronger along the boards. I get position dictates, but he doesn’t play anyone near as talented as JT. (Respectfully). Maybe a stretch as another point, but 1st overall pick.

- Marner kills penalties, absolutely. I don’t think his 5v5 defensive game is dominent though. Just average. His PK is good for sure. He’s great at using his offensive anticipation/read when he’s on the PK.

I suppose I’m gonna show my age by looking at it this way, but I still believe players should be paid on merit/what they show consistently vs what they are thought to be capable of. I guess a mix of those thoughts is probably the best.

Again, I like watching Marner play and he’s a real good player, just not worth being paid like the other 2. At least not yet.

Wrong. The articles were out there. He complained and pouted so much that the coach had to make a special trip to his home to talk him off the ledge.

Lets not revise history.
- RippedFuel

Wrong. The articles were out there. He complained and pouted so much that the coach had to make a special trip to his home to talk him off the ledge.

Lets not revise history.
- RippedFuel

He's no Latvian Locomotive or Snipeshow.

He's no Latvian Locomotive or Snipeshow.
- gergeswillems

Who Matthews?

Agreed, he's definitely no Ivan Viagraov

Who Matthews?

Agreed, he's definitely no Ivan Viagraov
- PatC80

If he doesn't lead the Leafs to at least ONE playoff win, shouldn't we all question as to why he keeps vanishing in the playoffs?

Once is a coincidence....
Twice is a trend..

whats four years in a row?? its starting to become concerning.

If Eichel doesn't lead the Sabres to at least ONE playoff round, shouldn't we all question as to why he keeps vanishing?

Once is a coincidence....
Twice is a trend..

whats five years in a row?? its starting to become concerning.
- RippedFuel

Agreed, Eichel's leadership needs to be questioned.

Agreed, Eichel's leadership needs to be questioned.
- PatC80

Not in the least...THAT guy..is a winner....total monster on the ice.

Never vanishes...never.

Not in the least...THAT guy..is a winner....total monster on the ice.

Never vanishes...never.
- RippedFuel

Can't vanish when he doesn't even appear in the playoffs.