MAPLE LEAFS 2019-20

That Long Island trade is just awful for the Leafs. I understand you're trying to get rid of the Zaitsev contract, but you're getting nothing in return for a top 4 d man and a 1st and 2 second round picks, plus a third. Horton is in the last year of his contract anyways, and he can just be placed on the LTIR. Doughty and Karlsson will want 10 million each anyways, Nylander 6.5, and Marner 7.

The team would not be in compliance with the start of the season because the team's current cap hit minus the LTIR player (i.e. Horton) cap-hit would be greater than the league salary cap. Thus, the reason for shedding Horton's contract via trade along with Zaitsev. As for the picks... sure, it would be a lot to give away. But would Leafs fans really care if both Karlsson & Doughty were already locked into dual long-term contracts? Or that they still had young assets in the farm system? I seriously doubt it! As for the dollar amount, I could see these two players agreeing to this amount knowing that they had the chance to play and WIN together long term.

Nylander's contract was intentionally created as a bridge deal until the Leafs have more cap space. Personally, I don't think that he is worth $6.5M yet. As for Marner, who know's? Maybe $7M will be his asking price. But that crack in the road will not occur for another season to make this Armchair-GM scenario happen. Thanks for your input & honesty!