Weber - Leaf perspective

Team: 2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 26, 2018

Published: Jan. 26, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Because someone wanted to see a mock up from the Leaf perspective. I was curious what all the griping was about and just how plausible the idea was. IMO, Weber isn't going anywhere, and I wouldn't trade him unless it was a full rebuild, but there's no harm in considering the possibility.
I used the current season so I didn't have to go through the hassle of re-signing everyone, then removed the UFAs that may not return (Bozak, Polak, Fehr), so consider this as an off season roster.

Leafs have roughly 27M to sign 7 players next season.
Assuming an 80M cap.

10M for raises to Nylander and JVR
3M to re-sign 3 bottom 6 RFAs
2M to re-sign Carrick

That's all of the main in-house signings taken care of.
12M left and all they need is a 3rd line center (4M). Bring back Bozak, or someone cheaper or with short term.
8M worth of flexibility and bonus coverage remaining.

The following season is around 18M to re-sign Matthews and Gardiner. Assuming a 2M cap increase.
It might be tight, but it's only for 1 season, and is manageable.
The year after, Marleau is off the books and Brown is the significant renewal.

Now I'm not advocating the trade, and the pieces I showed are only an example, but Marner is the most expendable piece who's contract would have eventually taken a big enough chunk to account for most of Weber's salary. The Leafs will be adding 7M for 2 years with the difference between Marner and Weber's salary, but after that the difference between the two should be marginal, and it's reallocating forward money to the defense.

The ideas of retention and Weber being washed up, too old, or a bad contract aren't worth consideration. Neither is the idea that he will retire early.
The only worthwhile consideration is that he gets paid 1M in actual money during the twilight years of the contract, and that has value in trade to teams on a budget, so you will be able to flip him for assets with relative ease if you need the cap space later or he isn't up to snuff.

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