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Get Tavaras and jam everyone under a reasonable cap

Created by: Villah
Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Apr. 6, 2018
Published: Apr. 6, 2018
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
8$10,500,000
8$8,500,000
3$1,750,000
3$2,000,000
3$1,250,000
3$1,500,000
8$6,000,000
1$1,000,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
7$10,000,000
1$1,000,000
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2020
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2021
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2022
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ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
21$80,000,000$73,901,666$0$400,000$6,098,334
Left WingCentreRight Wing
$2,250,000$2,250,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
$10,000,000$10,000,000
C, LW
UFA - 6
$8,500,000$8,500,000
RW
UFA - 6
$925,000$925,000
LW, RW
RFA - 1
$10,500,000$10,500,000
C
UFA - 5
$6,000,000$6,000,000
RW
UFA - 5
$700,000$700,000
LW, C
UFA - 1
$4,500,000$4,500,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 3
$2,100,000$2,100,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
$1,250,000$1,250,000
LW, RW
UFA - 4
$1,750,000$1,750,000
C, LW, RW
RFA
$1,500,000$1,500,000
RW
UFA - 3
$2,500,000$2,500,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD
UFA - 3
$4,500,000$4,500,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 5
$5,000,000$5,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 2
$863,333$863,333
LD/RD
UFA - 1
$1,000,000$1,000,000
RD
UFA - 1
$1,000,000$1,000,000
G
UFA - 1
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$400,000$400K)
RD
RFA - 3
$2,000,000$2,000,000
LD
UFA - 1
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
$5,300,000$5,300,000
RW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1

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Apr. 6, 2018 at 10:13 a.m.
#1
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So let me get this straight...
Borgman gets 2 mill for playing in the minors?
Aaltonen gets 1.75 without even playing an NHL?
Kapanen gets less then the other 2 while playing most of the season?
Johnsson (comparing him to Kapanen) was probably the only right thing about this.

Kapanen 3x3.25
Johnsson 3x1.5
Aaltonen 2x.925
Borgman 3x1.5

These contracts are what I'd pay them if their contracts were up today.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 10:24 a.m.
#2
Go Jets Go
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Quoting: DJSums17
So let me get this straight...
Borgman gets 2 mill for playing in the minors?
Aaltonen gets 1.75 without even playing an NHL?
Kapanen gets less then the other 2 while playing most of the season?
Johnsson (comparing him to Kapanen) was probably the only right thing about this.

Kapanen 3x3.25
Johnsson 3x1.5
Aaltonen 2x.925
Borgman 3x1.5

These contracts are what I'd pay them if their contracts were up today.


It's for the 2019-20 season though...
Apr. 6, 2018 at 10:29 a.m.
#3
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Quoting: Rooney11
It's for the 2019-20 season though...


Yeah but you can't say what they are going to do next year.
Apr. 6, 2018 at 10:52 a.m.
#4
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Quoting: DJSums17
Yeah but you can't say what they are going to do next year.


Fair enough, it could go either way really.
Apr. 6, 2018 at 10:56 a.m.
#5
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Quoting: DJSums17
So let me get this straight...
Borgman gets 2 mill for playing in the minors?
Aaltonen gets 1.75 without even playing an NHL?
Kapanen gets less then the other 2 while playing most of the season?
Johnsson (comparing him to Kapanen) was probably the only right thing about this.

Kapanen 3x3.25
Johnsson 3x1.5
Aaltonen 2x.925
Borgman 3x1.5

These contracts are what I'd pay them if their contracts were up today.


Kapanen will be playing 4th line and some penalty killing, and you are valuing him at more than Hyman and Brown, who play 2nd and 3rd lines and also play on the penalty kill. I would give Kapanen no more than 2 mil.

Borgman is an NHL player, he's loaned to the Marlies to improve his penalty killing. Expect him full time in the NHL soon.

To be honest I have no idea what I would pay Aaltonen, but if he plays center, he earns a small premium.
Apr. 6, 2018 at 11:19 a.m.
#6
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Edited Apr. 6, 2018 at 11:42 a.m.
Besides what the above post pointed out on your other kids and their contracts, I think your off on your numbers for the big three as well.

First.... fair, deserved or otherwise...It's wishful thinking to believe Nylander is going to settle for 6m. If Jack Eichel got 10m...how does Nylander not get 7 with ease? Even if you want to make the case that Eichel is better, he's better by 4m? Just because Nylander is third in the pecking order of Toronto's kids, doesn't mean he isn't worth his market value.

Let's dig deeper...
McDavid (21 years old): 1.21 PPG, got 12.5m
Eichel (21 years old): .84 PPG, got 10m
Draisaitl (22 years old): .76 PPG, got 8.5m

Don't forget that Toronto's kids are a year younger at least...so lets roll these guys back to 20...
McDavid (@ 20 years old): 1.16 PPG
Eichel (@ 20 years old): .79 PPG
Draisaitl (@ 20 years old): .55 PPG

Matthews (20 years old): .90 PPG He's gonna get 11m at least if you are giving him a long term deal... unless he takes less years and tries to hit the open market which would be a nightmare for Toronto.
Marner (20 years old): .82 PPG He's gonna get 8m on a breeze.
Nylander (21 years old): .72 PPG He's gonna get 7m, and a case can be made for him deserving more.

I know everyone wants John Tavares, we get it, its been posted 100 times. And if he left NY, I could see him liking Toronto as an option. I just don't see how Toronto is going to pull that off and retain every single kid they value. Someone is going to have to get moved if you have a prayer of fielding 4 lines and 6 dmen.

This is all without even considering that the Islanders would be brain dead to let him just walk. If they can't resign him, he's getting moved in a sign and trade. So stick Marner or Nylander in a deal and this all goes away! lol
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 11:23 a.m.
#7
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Quoting: Villah
Kapanen will be playing 4th line and some penalty killing, and you are valuing him at more than Hyman and Brown, who play 2nd and 3rd lines and also play on the penalty kill. I would give Kapanen no more than 2 mil.

Borgman is an NHL player, he's loaned to the Marlies to improve his penalty killing. Expect him full time in the NHL soon.

To be honest I have no idea what I would pay Aaltonen, but if he plays center, he earns a small premium.


Plugging the player into the position he fits on your team doesn't dictate his contractual value. Lots of players walk away from teams or force trades because the team isn't offering the player the proper opportunity to grow and earn. So while you would like to say your only going to pay someone 2m because he's playing the 4th line, that doesn't mean the player isn't capable of a larger role and that he would just accept being stuck.

It makes a lot more sense to analyze your team and find your next greatest need (RHD perhaps), and then sculpt a trade that is attractive to another team. Package a kid or two, make sure there's enough cap moving both ways that it works, and turn 3 players into 1.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 11:43 a.m.
#8
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Quoting: SuprDave45
Besides what the above post pointed out on your other kids and their contracts, I think your off on your numbers for the big three as well.

First.... fair, deserved or otherwise...It's wishful thinking to believe Nylander is going to settle for 6m. If Jack Eichel got 10m...how does Nylander not get 7 with ease? Even if you want to make the case that Eichel is better, he's better by 4m? Just because Nylander is third in the pecking order of Toronto's kids, doesn't mean he isn't worth his market value.

Let's dig deeper...
McDavid (21 years old): 1.21 PPG, got 12.5m
Eichel (21 years old): .84 PPG, got 10m
Draisaitl (22 years old): .76 PPG, got 8.5m

Don't forget that Toronto's kids are a year younger at least...so lets roll these guys back to 20...
McDavid (@ 20 years old): 1.16 PPG
Eichel (@ 20 years old): .79 PPG
Draisaitl (@ 20 years old): .55 PPG

Matthews (20 years old): .90 PPG He's gonna get 11m at least if you are giving him a long term deal... unless he takes less years and tries to hit the open market which would be a nightmare for Toronto.
Marner (20 years old): .82 PPG He's gonna get 8m on a breeze.
Nylander (21 years old): .72 PPG He's gonna get 7m, and a case can be made for him deserving more.

I know everyone wants John Tavares, we get it, its been posted 100 times. And if he left NY, I could see him liking Toronto as an option. I just don't see how Toronto is going to pull that off and retain every single kid they value. Someone is going to have to get moved if you have a prayer or fielding 4 lines and 6 dmen.

This is all without even considering that the Islanders would be brain dead to let him just walk. If they can't resign him, he's getting moved in a sign and trade. So stick Marner or Nylander in a deal and this all goes away! lol


Great post! All good points.

I think we shouldn't be comparing Nylander to Eichel, it may be better to compare Nylander to Ehlers, who is 0.69 ppg, has the same impact on his team and only separated by one draft position. Also, compare Matthews to Eichel instead of McDavid.

Whatever the contracts end up being, it's safe to assume the cap situation can handle a player like Tavares or Carlson given that Marleau's 3rd year of his contract allows a cap floor team an easy trade and also that the 80 mil cap I assumed, might even be low for that season.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 12:08 p.m.
#9
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One of the few Leafs posts that hasn't squeezed the "lesser known" RFAs just to fit in JT and the big money players. I agree with your Borgman. If he's truly an NHLer which he can prove next year, 1.5m might be a minimum. Same with Aaltonen, if an RFA this year and close to being UFA due to his age. If he's NHLer, your price in two years seems right.
IMO though, the Leafs aren't really in the running for JT, unless he takes a "Toronto" discount, which he shouldn't, the New York VCity area is his home.
Thanks for including Marleau. But please don't succumb to the nonsense that he can be traded to cap floor team. What NMC mean? I don't get traded.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 1:23 p.m.
#10
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Quoting: SuprDave45
Besides what the above post pointed out on your other kids and their contracts, I think your off on your numbers for the big three as well.

First.... fair, deserved or otherwise...It's wishful thinking to believe Nylander is going to settle for 6m. If Jack Eichel got 10m...how does Nylander not get 7 with ease? Even if you want to make the case that Eichel is better, he's better by 4m? Just because Nylander is third in the pecking order of Toronto's kids, doesn't mean he isn't worth his market value.

Let's dig deeper...
McDavid (21 years old): 1.21 PPG, got 12.5m
Eichel (21 years old): .84 PPG, got 10m
Draisaitl (22 years old): .76 PPG, got 8.5m

Don't forget that Toronto's kids are a year younger at least...so lets roll these guys back to 20...
McDavid (@ 20 years old): 1.16 PPG
Eichel (@ 20 years old): .79 PPG
Draisaitl (@ 20 years old): .55 PPG

Matthews (20 years old): .90 PPG He's gonna get 11m at least if you are giving him a long term deal... unless he takes less years and tries to hit the open market which would be a nightmare for Toronto.
Marner (20 years old): .82 PPG He's gonna get 8m on a breeze.
Nylander (21 years old): .72 PPG He's gonna get 7m, and a case can be made for him deserving more.

I know everyone wants John Tavares, we get it, its been posted 100 times. And if he left NY, I could see him liking Toronto as an option. I just don't see how Toronto is going to pull that off and retain every single kid they value. Someone is going to have to get moved if you have a prayer of fielding 4 lines and 6 dmen.

This is all without even considering that the Islanders would be brain dead to let him just walk. If they can't resign him, he's getting moved in a sign and trade. So stick Marner or Nylander in a deal and this all goes away! lol

First off I’ve gotta say I’ve seen you on a few posts before and you definitely know your stuff grin Comment is perfect, I’ve got nothing to say about it. Just that Eichel and Draisaitl’s contracts are less reflective of their skill and more on their importance to their respective teams in my opinion, just as William Karlsson will likely get a monster payday from Vegas after this season, even though I’d honestly take every player listed above over him. Do I think Eichel’s numbers make him worth 10 mill? Based on the comparison you made above no not necessarily. Is Eichel Buffalo’s future? As it looks right now yes absolutely. I think that fact can kind of “inflate” contracts to a certain extent.

Like I said earlier basing my comment off of your comparison you stated
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 2:05 p.m.
#11
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Quoting: MT_11
First off I’ve gotta say I’ve seen you on a few posts before and you definitely know your stuff grin Comment is perfect, I’ve got nothing to say about it. Just that Eichel and Draisaitl’s contracts are less reflective of their skill and more on their importance to their respective teams in my opinion, just as William Karlsson will likely get a monster payday from Vegas after this season, even though I’d honestly take every player listed above over him. Do I think Eichel’s numbers make him worth 10 mill? Based on the comparison you made above no not necessarily. Is Eichel Buffalo’s future? As it looks right now yes absolutely. I think that fact can kind of “inflate” contracts to a certain extent.

Like I said earlier basing my comment off of your comparison you stated


Thanks for the reply, I definitely enjoy the conversation. Here in NY hockey is the red-headed step child, so this is fun. I am not a Leafs fan, but I enjoy that you guys are super involved in your team.

Absolutely, I am in agreement that some of the contracts are a case of necessity on the part of their team. Both Edmonton and Buffalo could not afford to allow a franchise face to be come disgruntled and then see them walk when RFA ends. Both teams have a hard enough time as it is attracting players etc. But we both know that once it's Nylander's, Matthews and Marner's turn, their agents are going to point and say pay up. Some will get more, some will get less...but it's gonna be in the ballpark. I also feel like Nylander is getting a bit of shade because he isn't the top player on the team. Is he willing to accept a little less cash/spotlight to stay with Toronto? Or does he say "wait a minute, don't sell me short...look at my production!". It worked out for Draisaitl, he put his foot down and got paid. In the end, Toronto fans would have a much better idea of the pulse on this subject, so I defer to you guys.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 2:33 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: SuprDave45
Thanks for the reply, I definitely enjoy the conversation. Here in NY hockey is the red-headed step child, so this is fun. I am not a Leafs fan, but I enjoy that you guys are super involved in your team.

Absolutely, I am in agreement that some of the contracts are a case of necessity on the part of their team. Both Edmonton and Buffalo could not afford to allow a franchise face to be come disgruntled and then see them walk when RFA ends. Both teams have a hard enough time as it is attracting players etc. But we both know that once it's Nylander's, Matthews and Marner's turn, their agents are going to point and say pay up. Some will get more, some will get less...but it's gonna be in the ballpark. I also feel like Nylander is getting a bit of shade because he isn't the top player on the team. Is he willing to accept a little less cash/spotlight to stay with Toronto? Or does he say "wait a minute, don't sell me short...look at my production!". It worked out for Draisaitl, he put his foot down and got paid. In the end, Toronto fans would have a much better idea of the pulse on this subject, so I defer to you guys.


I'll try and avoid points we've already had on this on other posts...but namely my stance is that, given similar circumstances, Centres will get paid more than Wingers.

The interesting thing with Nylander...this year especially...is that he had a bit of a down year....and by that I mean he's posted almost identical numbers to last year...which as a 2nd year player...you're hoping there's improvement made. So his re-signing will be really interesting to see what number he lands on. I don't think he's done anything to justify anything over $7m. To pay a 20g/60pt player that kind of coin assumes an upward trajectory...which we all assume will happen...but didn't this year. Because of this I feel he'll get re-signed to less term. The team won't go as high as his agent may demand and maybe they agree on shorter term which gets him closer to $5.5-$6.5 depending on the # of years....while he works to earn Babcock's trust as a full time C.

Marner had an abysmal start to the year...but since lining up with Marleau and Kadri has been on a 100pt/year pace...so his re-signing could be north of $7m easy. Probably a good idea to extend him sooner than later.

As for Tavares...obviously just shooting from the hip...but I figured he was 50-50 to stay or leave the NYI. After his comments the other day, answering "I don't know" when asked about his future...I think that number is lower now. I have no idea what priority number one will be for him...whether that's stayingclose to NY, going to whoever pays top dollar, or signing where he thinks he has the best chance to win.

I now think he's 30% likely to re-sign with the Islanders, 30% chance he moves to a team that offers him $10+ mil and is considered a cup contender right now, 30% he moves but goes somewhere he considers 'home' (be that NYR, NJ, Toronto) and 10% he just takes top dollar.

He's getting a lot of pressure from his long-time friends to come to Toronto...but I can definitely see why a hometown kid would avoid signing here. The constant demand for tickets and personal time along with the scrutiny of fans and media would make it a difficult spot to come to. I think the Leafs can make the cap space to fit him and will definitely make a pitch....they're a hometown team with short term Cup aspirations....but unless he's the kind of guy that's always dreamed of playing for the leafs...I think he takes an offer elsewhere.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 2:48 p.m.
#13
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Quoting: SuprDave45
Thanks for the reply, I definitely enjoy the conversation. Here in NY hockey is the red-headed step child, so this is fun. I am not a Leafs fan, but I enjoy that you guys are super involved in your team.

Absolutely, I am in agreement that some of the contracts are a case of necessity on the part of their team. Both Edmonton and Buffalo could not afford to allow a franchise face to be come disgruntled and then see them walk when RFA ends. Both teams have a hard enough time as it is attracting players etc. But we both know that once it's Nylander's, Matthews and Marner's turn, their agents are going to point and say pay up. Some will get more, some will get less...but it's gonna be in the ballpark. I also feel like Nylander is getting a bit of shade because he isn't the top player on the team. Is he willing to accept a little less cash/spotlight to stay with Toronto? Or does he say "wait a minute, don't sell me short...look at my production!". It worked out for Draisaitl, he put his foot down and got paid. In the end, Toronto fans would have a much better idea of the pulse on this subject, so I defer to you guys.


No leafs fan, just a guy who loves the sport of hockey and all of the analytics that come with it!

In my opinion it was slightly easier for Edmonton and Buffalo to make their franchise signings, because Buffalo had one and Edmonton had two. Toronto has three faces to their franchise right now, and with more players with higher dollar value contracts than Edmonton (that are worth more to the team I should say. Edmonton has high value contracts that are easily expendable). Toronto's depth is definitely going to take a bigger hit than either one, which a) isn't hard to see and b) @villah already has with the likes of Bozak and JVR gone.

All 3 contracts are definitely in the area you stated earlier, and Nylander does have a case going for him indeed. I'm thinking Toronto could accommodate for him if that's what he decides to do. In this scenario I'd say either 1) simply don't go after Tavares, give the kids their contracts and use whats left to add depth or 2) split with Marleau (basing this off the fact that he has the largest contract next to the kids and Tavares. It's not ideal nor am I 100% serious, just tossing ideas and seeing if they stick or not) to give Nylander the little bit more he deserves and add a cheaper depth forward.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 2:55 p.m.
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Quoting: Juice
I'll try and avoid points we've already had on this on other posts...but namely my stance is that, given similar circumstances, Centres will get paid more than Wingers.

The interesting thing with Nylander...this year especially...is that he had a bit of a down year....and by that I mean he's posted almost identical numbers to last year...which as a 2nd year player...you're hoping there's improvement made. So his re-signing will be really interesting to see what number he lands on. I don't think he's done anything to justify anything over $7m. To pay a 20g/60pt player that kind of coin assumes an upward trajectory...which we all assume will happen...but didn't this year. Because of this I feel he'll get re-signed to less term. The team won't go as high as his agent may demand and maybe they agree on shorter term which gets him closer to $5.5-$6.5 depending on the # of years....while he works to earn Babcock's trust as a full time C.

Marner had an abysmal start to the year...but since lining up with Marleau and Kadri has been on a 100pt/year pace...so his re-signing could be north of $7m easy. Probably a good idea to extend him sooner than later.

As for Tavares...obviously just shooting from the hip...but I figured he was 50-50 to stay or leave the NYI. After his comments the other day, answering "I don't know" when asked about his future...I think that number is lower now. I have no idea what priority number one will be for him...whether that's stayingclose to NY, going to whoever pays top dollar, or signing where he thinks he has the best chance to win.

I now think he's 30% likely to re-sign with the Islanders, 30% chance he moves to a team that offers him $10+ mil and is considered a cup contender right now, 30% he moves but goes somewhere he considers 'home' (be that NYR, NJ, Toronto) and 10% he just takes top dollar.

He's getting a lot of pressure from his long-time friends to come to Toronto...but I can definitely see why a hometown kid would avoid signing here. The constant demand for tickets and personal time along with the scrutiny of fans and media would make it a difficult spot to come to. I think the Leafs can make the cap space to fit him and will definitely make a pitch....they're a hometown team with short term Cup aspirations....but unless he's the kind of guy that's always dreamed of playing for the leafs...I think he takes an offer elsewhere.


Draisaitl signed an 8 year, 8.5 aav contract after posting 77 points in 82 games, while playing lots of time with McDavid, so there's nothing saying that it's impossible that Nylander could sign long term for 7ish mil. True centers get paid more than wingers, but by being a possible player Toronto will try to build around with Matthews and Marner, that'll definitely inflate his contract number slightly. Although that 5.5-6.5 isn't out of the question if its a shorter contract
Apr. 6, 2018 at 3:01 p.m.
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Quoting: MT_11
Draisaitl signed an 8 year, 8.5 aav contract after posting 77 points in 82 games, while playing lots of time with McDavid, so there's nothing saying that it's impossible that Nylander could sign long term for 7ish mil. True centers get paid more than wingers, but by being a possible player Toronto will try to build around with Matthews and Marner, that'll definitely inflate his contract number slightly. Although that 5.5-6.5 isn't out of the question if its a shorter contract


Ya. Makes sense. I think the bridge would be riskier for the leafs. IF they knew they needed to in order to fit a big acquisition, I can see it being worth the risk. Otherwise, Nylander at the end of a 2yr bridge likely lands north of $8.5 vs getting him locked in for 7ish now
Apr. 6, 2018 at 3:04 p.m.
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Quoting: Juice
I'll try and avoid points we've already had on this on other posts...but namely my stance is that, given similar circumstances, Centres will get paid more than Wingers.

The interesting thing with Nylander...this year especially...is that he had a bit of a down year....and by that I mean he's posted almost identical numbers to last year...which as a 2nd year player...you're hoping there's improvement made. So his re-signing will be really interesting to see what number he lands on. I don't think he's done anything to justify anything over $7m. To pay a 20g/60pt player that kind of coin assumes an upward trajectory...which we all assume will happen...but didn't this year. Because of this I feel he'll get re-signed to less term. The team won't go as high as his agent may demand and maybe they agree on shorter term which gets him closer to $5.5-$6.5 depending on the # of years....while he works to earn Babcock's trust as a full time C.

Marner had an abysmal start to the year...but since lining up with Marleau and Kadri has been on a 100pt/year pace...so his re-signing could be north of $7m easy. Probably a good idea to extend him sooner than later.

As for Tavares...obviously just shooting from the hip...but I figured he was 50-50 to stay or leave the NYI. After his comments the other day, answering "I don't know" when asked about his future...I think that number is lower now. I have no idea what priority number one will be for him...whether that's stayingclose to NY, going to whoever pays top dollar, or signing where he thinks he has the best chance to win.

I now think he's 30% likely to re-sign with the Islanders, 30% chance he moves to a team that offers him $10+ mil and is considered a cup contender right now, 30% he moves but goes somewhere he considers 'home' (be that NYR, NJ, Toronto) and 10% he just takes top dollar.

He's getting a lot of pressure from his long-time friends to come to Toronto...but I can definitely see why a hometown kid would avoid signing here. The constant demand for tickets and personal time along with the scrutiny of fans and media would make it a difficult spot to come to. I think the Leafs can make the cap space to fit him and will definitely make a pitch....they're a hometown team with short term Cup aspirations....but unless he's the kind of guy that's always dreamed of playing for the leafs...I think he takes an offer elsewhere.


Thanks for the post. Well said.

I think there is something else to consider when we talk about how much these contracts are going to cost. At some point, you have to consider the philosophical side of things. How good is the culture on this team? Do young players sway to the side of pragmatism when time comes to make hard decisions? Obviously every player wants to win a stanley cup, and I feel that younger players may take notice about how hard it is to win now in the salary cap era. These kids watched hockey as fans after the salary cap was implemented, even during the Blackhawk's cup dynasty, and they know that the Blackhawk's winning window has slammed shut. To be fair, the league has more or less learned from the Blackhawks and how to manage the cap.

The big question is, will they accept a little less, to keep the team competitive their entire career? Or do the young players see big dollar signs instead? It'll come down to the player and how they feel. I would hope that Matthews, Marner and Nylander realize that if they want to play meaningful hockey their entire career, they have to accept contracts that are 1 or 2 million less than market value. The great thing about being a Maple Leaf legend is endorsements. Wendel Clarke, Doug Gilmore, Tie Domi, they will be raking in money until they die, and they didn't even make the finals, let alone win the cup.

If the big 3 do end up taking 30-35% of the team's cap, then we can at least rely on the salary cap going up, which it has been doing every year essentially. It could be as high as 90 million by 2020.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 3:28 p.m.
#17
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Quoting: Villah
Thanks for the post. Well said.

I think there is something else to consider when we talk about how much these contracts are going to cost. At some point, you have to consider the philosophical side of things. How good is the culture on this team? Do young players sway to the side of pragmatism when time comes to make hard decisions? Obviously every player wants to win a stanley cup, and I feel that younger players may take notice about how hard it is to win now in the salary cap era. These kids watched hockey as fans after the salary cap was implemented, even during the Blackhawk's cup dynasty, and they know that the Blackhawk's winning window has slammed shut. To be fair, the league has more or less learned from the Blackhawks and how to manage the cap.

The big question is, will they accept a little less, to keep the team competitive their entire career? Or do the young players see big dollar signs instead? It'll come down to the player and how they feel. I would hope that Matthews, Marner and Nylander realize that if they want to play meaningful hockey their entire career, they have to accept contracts that are 1 or 2 million less than market value. The great thing about being a Maple Leaf legend is endorsements. Wendel Clarke, Doug Gilmore, Tie Domi, they will be raking in money until they die, and they didn't even make the finals, let alone win the cup.

If the big 3 do end up taking 30-35% of the team's cap, then we can at least rely on the salary cap going up, which it has been doing every year essentially. It could be as high as 90 million by 2020.


Yep. Lots of variables that none of us are privy to. How aggressive is their agent to push for top dollar? Is the PA putting any pressure on a guy like Matthews to get top dollar? Is Leaf management sitting down with the players and their agents and pitching them a plan of bringing in a Tavares or Doughty type player which requires them to make room?

From a distance...it seems they all genuinely enjoy playing together so that can only help.
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Apr. 6, 2018 at 3:45 p.m.
#18
LongtimeLeafsufferer
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Maybe cause they're so young, the three young guys (and other young guys) seem to really like playing together as Juice suggested. Only Brian Burke tried to blame the media for the Leafs downfall and pressure of playing in Toronto. The players here aren't bothered by the media, who always have been soft their players and teams) Now social media might be a bit different, but a player doesn't have to listen to that.

To me it always seems easier to sign "your own" players, guys that grew up in the system. Partly because of the CBA, but it's the only pro team they have known. Marner might be the easiest signing, he's a Toronto boy.
Matthews might have the allure of Arizona...if there was money outside the hockey to persuade him, but he seems delighted to be a Leaf. Nylander to me is different type of guy. He just might want a bridge deal so he can get bigger riches in the futures. Nylander saws his father move from club to club, country to country, so maybe Nylander isn't so enamoured to stay with one team forever. Nylander born in Calgary, raised in various cities in the US, Canada and Sweden.
If Lou and the Leaf go crazy and spend big on UFA(s) it just might encourage his own young group to do the same in future. If you feel you have the stars in you organization, make you make them your core and fill in with inexpensive UFAs as needed. I think that is the Leafs philosophy, although it works if he have the players to make it work.
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