Marleau to Arizona

As much as Toronto fans want this to happen, and its not unimaginative, I cant see Arizona standing pat in UFA just to take on a salary dump.

This isn't an LTIR, this is a player who will only waive his NTC so he can ride out his career and collect 6.25mil on a barely average team near his family. It says a lot about his desire to win and contribute doesn;t it?

Im not saying Arizona would lose fans, but it says a lot to the fanbase if you're just taking on cap space to a player who is pretty much retired before he arrives. Unlike previous Arizona deals for LTIR players, this stops them from getting a player that might benefit them (based on Marleaus last season) and benefit them beyond this year.

I know its imperative for the Leafs to manage the cap, but just cant see a team using pretty much all of its UFA monies and cap space on a guy who isn't going to take them to the next level.

No chance Arizona considers this deal. Not only does Marleau add onto their cap, but he takes away a roster spot from one of their young guys. That's why it was reported that Arizona wanted a "significant" asset in return for taking Marleau's deal. You're on the right track with taking Hossa's contract back, but a 2nd round pick isn't enough. Toronto's gonna have to add a decent prospect with it. I doubt they include any of Sandin, Liljegren, or Bracco in a deal, but other guys that look like future NHLer's will have to be included. Something that's more realistic and likely:


Patrick Marleau
Dmytro Timashov
Toronto 2020 2nd round pick


Marian Hossa (goes to LTIR)
Jordan Oesterle


This actually saves Arizona cap space based on from this previous season because Hossa was counting towards the cap. And assuming Toronto pays Marleau's bonus and Arizona pays Oesterle's bonus on July 1, Arizona actually saves approximately $1.5M in real money as well. Plus Arizona gets a decently high pick and a prospect with some good offensive upside as well. Toronto gets the cap space to sign other key RFA's. Seems to work out good for both teams

You are correct when it takes a unique team to take on Marleau's cap, it's not so much Marleau's salary, but the Marleau cap. The other real alternative is that Marleau is going to retire, and though his 6.25m is real, that would free up a roster spot for a team like Arizona. But it's not like Marleau is useless as a player....He had 16 goals, 39 points last year He isn't going to "ride" out on a 6.25m salary. After July 1his salary is just 2.75m. In the past, Arizona hasn't used UFA to be close to the cap, so unless they plan to use cap on a better player than Marleau, the Marleau to Arizona still might be an alternative.

But why? The cap hit is MORE important than salary. And is Marleau the guy Arizona is missing that takes them to the playoffs? And doesd Marleau who is only going west to be near his family in his last season going to have the drive and determination to win and score 40 pts or more? Of course not, otherwise he would want a trade to a more successful/talented club than an Arizona, LA or Anaheim.

You are asking a team to soak up their CAP to take on a guy in his last season who wants to be close to his family.

And they have the cap now, why would they just want it occupied for a season then use it next season?

Your belief in Marleau as an attractive proposition is incorrect, and Marleaus offer to waive his NTC to help Toronto, doesn;t.

But why? The premise is the Coyotes won't be add the cap if they take Marleau. Coyotes have never been close to the cap before although it might change this year. Coyotes did take a one year of 7m Datsyuk. So if the Coyotes aren't going to close to he cap again this year, taking a sweetener with Marleau makes sense to the Coyotes. Gee having Marleau and his 6.25 cap hit and a salary of 2.75m makes a lot more sense than taking the Datysuk contract two years ago. Marleau's contract is just for this seasons not next season as you suggest.
Hate the Leafs all you want but if the Coyotes can get a sweetener with unused cap space it's a benefit to the Coyotes. Plus just paying Marleau 2.75m is a better value than paying Hossa 2m...again if cap space is available.