Nah, they'll match it. They can cut salary in other areas

& Toronto matches instantly with no second thoughts. Keep in mind that in the offseason, teams can go over the salary cap a bit (I believe its 10%, but could be slightly off). So Toronto matches, and finds a way to move another contract and make the cap work. Worst case they bury a contract in the minors to save from losing Kapanen

In what other areas can they afford to cut salary?

As already mentioned we have quite a few good contracts that can be moved and not have to lose kappy for a 2nd rounder. I think he would probably be okay with a shorter term bridge for a bit less too.

I think both he and Johnsson are good target for offersheets. I think if you go 5x5 on kappy or 5x4 on Johnsson that may be enough

Kapanen will easily get $4 million per from the Leafs, You'll need to go higher then that.

Brown Hyman zaitsev.... that’s 9m minus replacement costs.

How original of an idea.

Now that I have aired my sour grapes.

I'll say that I think if you up that offer above 4.1 then the Leafs are considering taking the 1st and the 3rd. A 2nd though I think they'll match and then move Brown and something else.

True, but Hainsey and Gardner both come off the books which are two top 4 to replace. Yes Dermott comes up, but they also need role players like Brown/Hyman that play the PK. No chance Hyman moves, Bab loves him

I don't think he'll get that kind of offer from TO. I think Dubas will ask him to do a 1 year show me with the chances of getting more after Marleau is off the books.

You do realize that kappy is our best penalty killer right?

At some point Babs will not have a say in the matter. To be honest if Kappy does not agree to a smaller 1 year contract I could see him being traded first. I think most teams rather than offersheeting would rather trade for a player like kappanen.

If the leafs don’t want to lose kappy for nothing I see them moving contracts. I do think Johnsson and kappy are both good targets for offer sheets.

Yeah, if you can get a 1st+ in an offer sheet for Kappy, I think Dubas takes it. Doubt anyone takes that risk on Johnsson though.

Anyone who scouts the leafs would tell you that kappy and Johnsson are very close in value and potential.

I understand & I know the $4 mil offer sheet isn’t worthy, but it makes the most sense just freeballing from a Devils perspective. Very interested to see how it all plays out in the next few months

Depends on how he finishes the season. What if continues at or near the pace he's been on since moving into the top 6 (17 points in 19 games)? He has an outside chance of finishing the season with 60 points. I could see someone giving him 4.5 at that point. I can see a team like St Louis, or Chicago or LA doing an offer sheet thinking it'll help them become contenders again, only to suck worse than the year before.

To be honest I see it one of two ways, either everyone is signed under the cap and we add one or two vets. Or some players are moved, whether it be brown to accommodate what Johnsson and kappy want in their next contract or kappy is moved for a cheaper elc or futures.

I don’t really worry much about offer sheets but they are an interesting idea. I wonder how much we could move around to accommodate. Dubas has stated they have a plan to defend any offer sheet but he spends zero time worrying about that.

Also noticed one glaring thing here that I missed earlier.... that Tampa deal.... no way you are getting cernak.

Likely not, but if they want to move Callahan to make room this year they’re gonna need to attach something

Cernak is ready to step in for some of the departing D and will be a lot cheaper than what a replacement cost player would be. The lightning would be better off buying out Callahan or attaching a draft pick than to trade Cernak or any other cheap D ready to step in.