So after the MNM contracts, without a doubt, our offence gets a little weaker due to lack of funds. In specific, the LW takes the largest hit however, our prolific pairs for each of the lines would still be, Matthews- Marner, Nylander-Kapenen, ( w.e Marleau still has in the tank plus) Kadri-Brown. This is a pretty solid offence and the next year, once Marleau comes off, we can look at free agency as a way of acquiring a 6 million dollar LW.
Hyman with Matthews has worked well, he gets the puck, plays defence and keeps up. No point paying someone 5 million to do the same job and maybe 20 more points a season than Hyman at double the cost. Andreas has been doing well and playing him with Nylander and Kapenen should help his game, give him more time. Plus, Nylander gets two wingers that can absolutely riffle the puck. The fourth line is still talented with Bracco, who is smart defensively and a poor mans Marner, Leivo, who is a poor mans JVR and Brooks who seems to be similar to Bozak. Plus they are all fourth liners so it wouldn't be too expensive to replace either of them.
Defense wise, Gardiner and Zaitsev have been solid. Resign them and make a strong pair capable of playing 20-22 a night. Rielly has looked good with Hainsey who plays a very smart defensive game. Rasanen, the 6'7'' giant we drafted could end up complimenting rielly well. Dermott and liljegren are a solid pairing with Brogman and Rosen alternating as 7.
Goalies show Anderson as our number one. He has been good and with a solid Defence, he has a great chance to win every night. Pickard can back him up till either Woll or Scott are ready to take over.
The team is below the cap, and after the Marleau contract comes off, we have even more cap relief. Once all the players are signed to long term extensions, we still have enough cap to make some moves here and there, plus this doesn't take into account any draft picks, prospects and trades we make (i.e., JVR, Bozak, Komarov trade, draft picks, prospects trades for players).
Looking Only at your contracts:
-Matthews Seems about right if you give him 8 years
-Nylander could be a bit lower (using Ehlers as a comparable) but its not off-base to suggest its "outlandish"
-Marner probably doesn't get this contract, but it depends on his season - maybe gets bridged maybe gets a lower AAV
Also you won't get that return for Martin but that's not important Leafs can afford to send a pick to the other team if necessary
Exactly as LeafsFan said, ANA is just a placeholder, I'm positive Lou can find a dance partner and in reality, if we have to send a third with Martin to clear up cap space, doesn't make us a basement team. I think Marner may get locked up long term to a bit lower than 7, maybe even around 6 mainly because Lou has a history of locking them up long term to lower AAV hits. Thinking long term, Marner at a 6 mil/ season when he's 25-27 would be a steal considering the growth in salary cap. In perspective, if the cap grows by 3% (not 5%) each of the next 6 seasons, when Marner is 26-27, the cap ceiling would be 90 million. If u have Marner for 6 million, Nylander for 6 and Mathews for 11, you have 3 top 25 forwards for 23 million, or 25.5% of the cap, penguins pay Geno and Sid 26.6% of their cap right now. I was liberal in most of their salaries so people don't get their feelings hurt about it not working under the cap.
I think the lineup will look something like this. I'm guessing 11m will be the minimum for Matthews. And Marner will have to show he is elite to get close to 7m or else he will likely get just 2 or 3 year deal. Borgman and Rosen are getting more than 1.75 if they achieve bonuses to my guess is they get more if they show they are competent. If Gardiner continues to grow, I don't if the Leafs can afford to keep him at 5.5m. Will not cap room the following year if those players off ELCs show they are good NHLers.
For some reason you want to trade Komarov, Bozak and JVR for futures. I know this is a trading site, the reality is, the Leafs want to win this year (as do most teams), Leafs aren't weakening their team this year for CapFriendly users.
Finally somebody who doesn't give Matthews more money than McDavid. Marner and Nylander could get $1 million more. That contract for Kapanen could really be a steal.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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