Well the answer about Tavares is no. With the proposed post, the Leafs are carrying over 4.7m performance bonus into 2019/20 cap. Try do a post carrying that cap, Tavares, Matthews, Nylander and others getting increases.....I don't think it's doable at all.

It isn’t doable but technically speaking it is. I think most people now get the idea that it isn’t possible. I thought the Marleau signing set in stone that Tavares, And Doughty wouldn’t be in TO but people like to post these trades a lot.

Thanks OilersNation. You're right about Marleau. And Marleau (if he can play) isn't waiving his NMC to go cap deficient team, when he has last change at a Cup. Thought the Leafs could've use that Marleau money a lot better short term for this year and next, and have more cap in 2019/20.

what are these lines????

Yes, but we don't really need him. Matthews - Kadri with the option to bring Will to center is enough, Tavares would eat too much cap for the Leafs to add any defense.

Does it look like it?

Technically they aren't carrying any performance bonuses onto the 19/20 cap although the $4.7 is somewhat of a worst (best?) case scenario based on maximum potential. Performance bonuses still need to be earned. Matthews is the only one eligible for Schedule A bonus of $2m which he gets if he finishes top 10 in points or top 10 in goals/game assuming at least 42 games played. As of now he's in the top 10 in goals/game and would earn the full $2m if he maintains his pace and hits 42 games.

Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Borgman can earn Schedule B bonuses to a max of $850k each. There's 8 categories based on position and they get $212,500 for each, up to a max of 4 targets: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-rookie-success-hurt-teams-cap-situation/

So yes, they need to use prudence and account for a max exposure....but if a guy like Tavares is willing to come here they can make it work. Might be at the expense of a Kadri or not resiging Gardiner at the end of next year and will of course what indications they have for how expensive their RFA re-signings will be. At the end of the day it's highly unlikely JT is a Leaf, but they could fit him if it turns out to be possible.

Agree completely with the implications of the Marleau signing, tho. When I saw the amount and term they gave him I took it as a strong sign they didn't think they'd be a player for JT.

Juice: A big problem is the necessity of having Horton on the opening day "roster". He has fit in under the cap before you you can use the bonuses.

I thought it was revealed this off season that they could put him on LTIR the day before the season started (or somthing like that I remember reading). So they can go over the cap by 10% and add him to LTIR before opening night. This was added to this sites FAQ section on the matter:

Yes, LTIR can be used in the off-season while the 10% off-season cushion is active. LTIR in the off-season is calculated using the basic equation outlined above, which permits a team to exceed the off-season salary cap. To use off-season LTIR the team must provide doctors proof that the player in question will continue to be injured at the beginning of the regular season for 10 NHL games and 24 calendar days.

At the start of the season the teams LTIR relief & ACSL is recalculated when the 10% cushion is removed. : https://www.capfriendly.com/ltir-faq#offseason

I think if it was 2 years it'd be great with the cap hit going down a lot if we decide to sign him to the 3rd. The 3 years just handcuffs the Leafs for resigning the big 3 and others.