Quoting: junoandkeisha
Yeah, I know, if Gretzky could get traded, Dubas could go back on his word and trade Nylander. I just think that Dubas isn’t like other GM’s. Maybe I am naive, but his past speaks volumes.
I'm sure Dubois thought and said some things publicly at time that he thought were true, but certainly some big changes happened to his club.
1. Signing 11m Tavares. Betcha Dubas didn't think that was going to happen. 2. Nylander...his AAV is about .5m more than he expected to pay. 3. The emergence of Marner as a star, and not 6.5m player but a 9m player. 4. Emergence of Kapanen has a better than average player.
So really it's all about the cap unfortunately. And having too many good players on good contracts, isn't really a problem because one can always be traded for value.
Any issue with Gardiner and Hainsey gone next season do the Leafs have NHL competent cheap replacements or do they have to sign a more experienced (good) Dman.
So, while Dubas may have been genuine at his press conference, the realities might be different next summer. Plus, what else would Dubas say publicly? That the Leafs don't have cap, someone from this group is going to be traded? He's not going to say THAT. So he may have said..."things are OK" just to keep the media and fans from bothering him during the season so the team can just read about hockey only. I expect Nylander or some high priced forward is going to traded next summer, more for cap reasons and to fill a Dman spot at least short term.