How to reasonably make the cap work next season

Still need a couple more players. So no the cap does not reasonably work for the 2019-20 season with what you proposed.

If we are being conservative with our cap projections (I mean I'm going high on the deals for Matthews, Marner and Nylander), then we will have trouble getting a full roster next year. One solution would be to trade Zaitsev for a cheaper option, maybe save a million or two off him and then we'll be fine.

The next year is really easy since Marleau is off the books.

Yes it becomes easier when Marleau is off the books but they unfortunately still have to sign Matthews and Marner before that happens. However, I do commend you for two things:
1) Not giving stupid bridge contracts to Matthews, Marner or Nylander
2) Not trading Marleau all willy-nilly and actually observing his NMC

Zaitsev is a an option to move if the Leafs can find a buyer. He would need to have a good showing to start the season and guys Liljegren need to prove they are getting ready for the jump. I think the better moves for the LEafs would be trying to move out Hyman and Brown for more cost effective options to play bottom 6 roles (even though Hyman plays top line for Babs).

My guess is they would move out Kapanen or Johnsson before they move either of Hyman or Brown. Personally I think Brown is greatly underrated, I think if he played a full season with Matthews or Tavares he'd be a 30 goal scorer easily.

Love hyman and brown but just about anyone playing on our top 2 is going to put up great numbers. I’m thinking brown is going to be the one that needs to go. Too much money for a fourth liner. I don’t see kapanen or johnsson moving. If brown scores 30 on the Mathews line than Johnson scores 60. But I don’t think 30 for brown is reasonable either. 50 assists sounds more likely. I would think kapanen and johnsson play on 3rd line till we get them locked down for a few years. Then move them up.