Freddy (The Goat) has actually slowed down since his injury last year and as such likely will never fit into the Leafs plans. The going rate for a 4th line "veteran" center is only about $1M (at this point) so I see the Leafs going for the experience! I think most of your line up is well thought out, (perhaps a little light on Marner/Nylander/Matthews), but don't think that Leafs will re up Gardiner if they actually go out and get a top 4 free agent like Carlson in FA. Dermott 2 years out, or Leafs other depth on the left side hopefully takes that spot at a much cheaper aav. Jury still out on whether Leafs resign JVR, but I'm with you if what you propose above is doable!

Folks can't really jump ahead and make a roster of 2019/20 without taking into consideration the performance bonuses carryover into 2017/18 into 2018/19, the performance bonuses of 2018/19 and Horton holding roster spot for opening day cap purposes in 2018/19. The Leafs really don't have the cap room to sign both JVR and Carlson in 2018/19.
I can't see Matthews signing for so little especially in a rising cap and Nylander signing for little long term, maybe a bridge.

I feel you are bang on with the performance bonuses...although it doesn't look like as many are going to be hit this year...which is good...err bad...

Anyway, if you remove the horrible GMs in Boston, Edmonton (did you know that Boston has NOTHING to show for the Sequin trade who is possibly Dallas' best player?) and Buffalo with their various contracts from the last 2 years...
....and look at the Leafs management precedent of the last 2 years where Brown scored 20 goals, plays a full 200 ft game, never takes a night off like Nylander and Marner do...and Brown signed for only $2.1 MIL as well as Kadri who scored 32 GOALS playing against the league TOP offensive players every night (!!), plays fiesty, hits, has slick offensive skills is signed long term for $4.5 MIL I am surprised that folks still use Eichel, Draisaitl, etc to predict how Leafs management will respond.

What about Monahan at $6.375? MacKinnon at $6.3? Pavelski at $6.0? In my mind they are all more complete players than Nylander or Marner.

Internet rarely reveals the tone of text but I am not trying to be a jerk. I sincerely am just surprised how many here passionately argue that the Leafs will be meeting or setting the record for the dollar amount that the new contracts will be.

I have been thinking of that as well regarding the 4th line center. Here is what I was wondering: Komarov was a center in Europe and usually takes the draws when Kadri has gotten thrown out against the oppositions top line or on the PK and still has a 50% FO percentage this season. If he was offered $1.5 to take the sheltered 4th line center position we would have a veteran who has great chemistry with the current team, is a warrior when the games are on the line and would be a great bash brother for Martin.


Not sure compared to what Kadri and Brown signed for. Looking how the Leafs pay players (and not Edmonton) I am interested to see if Jangle29 is that far off. It is where I am expecting the 3 to sign for.


I agree 100%. Looking at the right side with Zaitsev signed 7 years plus Liljegren and Ozhiganov lurking in the weeds I actually feel that Gardiner is the odd man out even though he is arguably our top defense man.

Watching OEL's body language last night and looking like he was frustrated still, I wish we could get him for Gardiner, our top prospect Kapanen, Carrick as a solid, young RHD and our 1st pick. I think that maximizes and drains the Leafs depth by giving Arizona solid players but it also would give us a solid 1st line center, a solid 1st pairing d man and a solid starter goalie.



I agree. Not many 30 goal scorers publicly state that they would take a discount to play in Toronto. 28 year old JVR will be hard to replace at any price with drafting, trades or UFAs.

This looks doable depending on the Performance bonuses and what move the Leafs do on defense.

Really this lineup was blowing a ton of money to the cap on different things and not exactly what I think it will look like. I dont think Gardiner and Carlson both sign, and it all also is all assuming Tavares doesnt go to UFA which IMO is their #1 target.

Honestly blows me away when 10.5 mil is not considered a lot of money. Mcdavid was suppose to be the next best player on the planet and take his team to a cup final and he just got 12.5 mil (which pretty much fucked them financially by the way). I think he is 11 mil max but if he sees Tavares come in and sign for 9-10 mil I think he will take 10-10.5 and keep a bit of cash on the table, who wouldnt.
Nylander has 6 goals, Marner has 3 goals, all in 35 games this season. Anyone in their right MIND would not throw more than 5.75 mil at them right now, and I honestly see them making much less on a bridge deal because both have not shown exactly what they will be.
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Also players like Goat are just in there to take up the cap hit, might be someone else who knows its a while away

I agree that the leafs quite possibly will not resign Gardiner. I think he will look for more money than the leafs think he's worth. With Rielly locked onto the left side of our 1st pair, we still have a lot of depth on the left side. With Borgman already playing well as a 22 year old, and Dermott and Rosen looking good in the minors, i dont think its crazy to think between those 3, 2 can play 2nd and 3rd pairing minutes. I especially think Borgman will, be able to step into the top 4. Although he has offensive tools, I think this year he has done a great job proving he is reliable defensively, something Babcock likes more the the razzle dazzle.

My predicted D rankings in 2019/20 are...

Rielly - Zaitsev
Borgman - Liljegren
Rosen/Demott - Ozihganov/Rasanen

(assuming no signings other than Ozihganov)



I agree. Not many 30 goal scorers publicly state that they would take a discount to play in Toronto. 28 year old JVR will be hard to replace at any price with drafting, trades or UFAs.

This looks doable depending on the Performance bonuses and what move the Leafs do on defense.

Jangle/Bulldog: Sure Monahan, MacKinnon are other got 6m or so put the cap was at about 70m. If the cap is 20% higher, players of same ilk might well get 7.2m or more.
When I mentioned Nylander, I just don't think he'll "settle" for 5.75m on a long term deal. IMO he'll take less, and hope for bigger returns when he is better and closer to UFA status when he might have leverage.
Look what one good season got Draisaitl....8.5m. We'll see how Nylander and Marner end of stats wise at the end of the season. Still a long way to go. Only Nylander is eligible for a new contract (from someone) this summer.

Regarding comments on JVR. Don't ever believe what a player, coach, or GM says publicly. What else is JVR going to say publicly? I really don't care about the Leafs next year, I'm going to the highest bidder. With the Leafs hoping to pay other Leafs a lot more in the future, I really don't think their is a cap space for JVR or even Gardiner in the future. And the Leafs do have some young replacements at those positions albeit not as good.

You really can't complete an accurate roster for 2019/20 or even 2018/19, without the incremental roster (and performance bonuses) of 2017/18 and 2018/19 taken in to the math. And of course we really don't know what the bonuses will be either.

Palhal...Just remember Ehlers took 6 mil (equal to Nylander and playing better right now) Pastrnak took under 7 and is an elite winger. Yes Draisaitl was "handed" 8.5 but it still seems like an overpayment. Gotta think Lou and management will play "hardball" with these guys. My prediction is Nylander takes a long term deal right around 6 mil or bets on himself and does a bridge deal ( something like 2 years 4 mil)

Another Toronto fan who thinks that Tavares wants to play there. Do you really think they can afford him......NOT