Logic then dictates that Nylander is traded for cap space/Dman.

Trading Marleau would work too. Their cap hits are pretty similar...

No, NMC Marleau isn't waiving for his last chance at a Cup.

Don’t see the cap going to 84 either. 82 has been the number mentioned.

I still say Kadri is a good trade option for cap relief, his contract is good for a team in need of a 2nd line C but his contract is bad as a 3rd line C. Marleau can play C if needed and the Leafs have wingers to move up. Of that will get you under the Cap but moving Kadri for picks and or a prospect doesn't allow enough money saved to fix the D

Why? Kadri is one the best 3rd line Centers in the league that plays a solid defensive game. He can play as a shutdown center and chip in offensively too. They should def keep him. His contract is a steal for the player he is and center depth is so important in the playoffs. Kadri as a two-way 50-60 point 3rd line C is absolutley solid.

Kadri is not getting traded and Marleau is playing out his contract for sure. Leafs are just going to have to go next year with the same approach of trying to outscore teams and hope their D can have some internal development (Dermott, Borgman or Rosen, Oz, Zaitsev). Once Marleau is done, we then have that money to get a solid D, but until then don't expect anything crazy. And for those suggesting trading Nylander, I think I would rather wait an extra year for Marleau's contract to be up and then get a D, dont trade Nylander just to get that guy a year earlier.

Depending on how much cap is needed next year, it could be Kadri as you suggest. My thinking is that Nylander could move to centre.

Even after Marleau and his. contract is done, it's not like there is 6.25m of new found money. Dermot and other players will get some of that money. I imagine the Leafs play (hope) in 2020/21 Sandin and Liljegren are NHL competent, to go along with Reilly, Dermot, Zaitsev and Ozhigakov. Well something like that.
I kinda disagree with you that the Leafs plan is to "outscore" teams. Leafs are third in GAA, so they have done good job of keeping the puck out of their net.