hard no from vancouver, we can get more than some depth guys, a bad contract and a 2nd. a 1st and martin for tanev with 50% cap retained

those arent depth guys...thats 2 prospects and a second. Thats arguably worth more than a late first alone.

Scary when you have to resign Matthews and Marner for ~20M next year then have 5M in cap space for 10 players

Lindgren was a -4 in 4 marlies games, and Brooks didnt even put up many points in the AHL. basically 2 4th round picks and a 2nd for Tanev. not to mention martins contract (its not that bad, but hes not worth anything). unless theyve had a solid season with the ahl they dont have much value to them, or as much as your showing

The essential players that have to be signed in the next 2 years are Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tanev. Matthews maybe gets 10 million (worst case scenario), Nylander 6-7 million Marner 6-8 million, Tanev maybe gets 4-5 again depending on how he does or if they even want to resign him. Others guys like Grund/Dermott/Sparks are low cost signings.

Coming off the books in the next 2 years: Marleau 6.25 million, Horton, 5.3 million, Martin 2.5 million, Gardiner 4.1 million, Hainsey 3 million. Other ufas like Leivo/McElhenney/maybe carrick.

The costs balance out give or take a few million and the cap may raise a million or two within the next few years.

I think your ranges are off. $10m would be a best case scenario for Matthews. He gets higher than Eichel easily. Leafs would consider themselves lucky if they got Marner at $8m. Maybe he does a 5yrs x $7m deal tho. Nylander at 6-7 seems right.

If Tanev is only worth $4-5m chances are he's not making much of an impact on the team and we're still looking for a top 4 RHD

It was both of their first years in the AHL and Lindgrens first time on NA ice. Its not like they are 25-26 these are still kids at 22 and 21. Brooks scored more than 2 points per game in the WHL 2 years ago. Lindgren is a smart Swedish (I know how much Nucks fans love Swedes) RHD. And they did have a solid season in the AHL, they won the calder cup!

No doubt Matthews can easily get 10+ million, but if he wants to keep playing with Nylander and Marner hes gonna have to take a pay cut. Tavares took a pay cut coming to Toronto so hopefully that rubs off on him. I think Marner is worth slightly more than Nylander so like 7.5 million. By the time you do/dont resign Tanev Liljegren will probably be ready. If Dubas is smart he will sign Matthews/Marner/Nylander each to like 5 years 6/7 million dollar contracts then give them the money they deserve when the contracts are up. I think its a mistake to sign them instantly to their value.

I don't think Gardiner is on team beyond next year, just not solid enough, too many giveaways which I think outweighs some of great offensive plays he can make.
Nylander could be gone too when the real cap crunch starts next year. He would be good bait to upgrade the D anyways
Matthews I believe will get the same contract they just gave Tavares
If Mitch has a good year he gets 7, 8 for for fantastic year, if he gets 30-35 goals and 90 points 9M
And Horton's 5.3 just gets buried

Pipe dream here

How bout you trade nylander gardiner liliagren and a 1st, 2nd, 3rd round pick in 19,20,21 maybe even 1 more pick 6th or something
for Erik Karlsson, if Gardiner is at 4.25 and Nylander is gettin 7M that would pay for what Karlsson would get 11 ish

Think a deal that rich would be enough

You would have to trade Marleu's 3rd year to make it all fit
But to get a true # 1 is what we really need now