Well firstly, this is a poor attempt at trolling Leaf fans.

And here is why.

1) Gardiner is not coming back, he will walk like JVR, Bozak and Komarov
2) Johnsson has been a healthy scratch half the time, he isn't getting over a million.
3) Leivo as well isn't getting over a million
4) Kapanen will sign a 1 year show me contract or he'll be traded if he wants more than 2 million.

Secondly, What they mean when they say we can, is that they can resign Matthews, Marner and Nylander. Those are the priorities and they are completely doable.

Its clear by this post that you just don't understand how a team builds it up.

Agree with Logan. And what's with those ridiculously high contract to Matthews.Nylander and Marner/

the author hates all teams except the sens.

Sure leafs can sign both Matthews, Marner and Nylander!

But if they do, their defensive core will be even worse!

And before telling you can sign both 3.... why don't you start just signing Nylander? You poor fans!

Don't know why you would suggest that about Nylander. I'm sure Nylander is asking too much (if the Leafs mind), and the the Leafs are offering too little (in Nylander;s mind). So be it. It's called free agency, well restricted free agency. Those figures given look way too high for the signing of the "young three". Don't know why you would think the Leafs average defence would be worse.

Those contracts aren't that much too high! That's what they worth

Matthews need to be somewhere between McDavid and Tavares's contracts. He's better that Tavares and younger.
Marner will be around 8.000.000
And I think that 7.5 is the right price for Nylander.... He surely won't sign at 6. It would be a real joke for him getting lower paid than the slow 39 yo Marleau.

If the young three is signed at the right price... there is no more room for Gardiner. Do you really think that the d-core will improve with Zaitsev on 1st pair? c'mon

Let's stop with this fascination of "first pair". It. really has no meaning. Look at Gardiner. He's plays at even strength and half of the PP and very rarely on the PK. So what is is his rating.
Marleau has 27 goals last year, and makes 6.25. Maybe that is the fair comparison to Nylander. I think it would be a joke if he gets more than Pasta and Marchand of Boston. Traditionally UFAs get paid that players coming off their ELC. Kuchervov is making 9.5m next year and he a 100 point guy since you're making comparisons. Right now Matthews is not deserving to be paid the second most highest players in the league. And a joke to think that Nylander is deserving to be paid as a top five RWer in the league.