I don't think Marleau retires yet with another year on his deal.

I never thought Marleau would retire until the past few months. His play has declined that much, that I don't think he even sees the ice next year. His dollar lose is minimal (by Marleau standards) if he retires.

Think we could do without lindholm and mcquaid. I think 6m is the magic number. Moore and Bracco should both be on the team next year. From what I’ve heard of dubas’s Comments he is also expecting Lilly to be on the roster next season. I’m not totally sold on that but we will see.

Get the trade right; it'll be Matthews going to ARZ to bribe them for taking Marleau.

Just as realistic option since Marleau is going to say no thank you on any trade scenario.

Unless the Leafs win the Cup this spring, if they even win 1 playoff round.

You can start with saving some cap by not overpaying Johnsson and Kapanen. They've both had 1 season in the league, teams don't overspend on players with that little of experience. I'd say they're both under $3M on shorter term deals. That's a good place to start. & Marner isn't taking $10.5M over 8 years. He wants closer to Matthews and Matthews bought out less years. I'd say Marner wither signs a 2-3 year deal or 6 year. That keeps it under $10.5M. They might be able to get him on a 2-3 year bridge for under $10M to temporarily save on cap. Moving key assets like Kadri for overspending on other guys is a poor way to manage a team.

You really don't get it do you? Wings gave up a lot less for the Arizona taking 7m cap hit (no cash) Datsyuk. So don't be silly negative saying it's Matthews that is the sweetener. As I indicated the only way this trade happens is that Marleau decides he isn't NHL good enough anymore.....which might happen, which would be the only reason he would retire this summer.

Hyman 98 NHL games, where is his second season he had 10 goal and 18 assists and he got 2.4m deal. Kapanen and Johnson certainly have better production this year. Leafs seem to want to pay their RFA premium prices....Nylander in his two and half year and was 20/41 for 61 points gets 7m. You really think Marner settles for a 3 year contract for 6m? A five year for 10m offer sheet would be a big temptation. Thinking multiple players are going to just going to take a lot less money is not a realistic way to manage your lineup.

Months ago you argued telling me Marleau'sontract is impossible for the Leafs to rid themselves. Nothing has changed, Marleau is still putting up points and can still reach 20 goals this season.

A very real comparison for Kapanen and Johnsson is Connor Brown's contract. All were around the same age and produced at the same level. Toronto is without a doubt go to try to get Kapanen and Johnsson on 2-3 year bridge deals to lower the cap. With Kapanen that buys out 0 free agency years so it won't be expensive. Johnsson is a bit older so if they go that long it might cost a bit more. Brown signed for $2.1M for 3 years. Kapanen and Johnsson are both projected to score a bit more than Brown, so yes I think they get a bit more. But to say that Kapanen gets double Brown when Brown actually had a better PPG on his ELC than Kapanen does is just a bad thing to say. Realistically, I see Kapanen at $2.8M for 2 years, Johnsson around $2.5M for 3 years. If Toronto can't get then both on lower AAV bridge deals, they'll be dealt. Guarantee it. Nylander is no where near a comparison for either of Kapanen or Johnsson. Nylander has much more upside and had produced far more and that's why he got his deal.
& did I say Marner would take 3 years at $6M? No, I didn't. I said he isn't going to sign the max 8 years because Toronto is going to want to keep his AAV down for the short term. Toronto won't sign him to the 5 years you're saying because then him and Matthews expire at the same time. & that'd be hell. 7 or 8 years the AAV would probably be north of $11-$12M so that's not happening either. 4 years doesn't work caus ethat walks Marner right into free agency in his first yea did eligibility. So if the Leafs want to do "long term" with him, it'd most likely be 6 years around $10M which is doable but the top amount. Or, the bridge deal I suggested that I just said would bring his AAV lower than $10.5M (I never mentioned $6M). On a 2-3 year deal, I'd say Toronto could probably get him around $9M which helps the cap incredibly. & it's even been suggested that if Marner takes a bridge deal it could be a record one. Personally I don't see Toronto ranting to do a 3 year deal cause that's when Rielly and Kadri come up for free agency. But maybe a 2 year deal worth between $8.5M-$9M is pretty reasonable. Then they'll have more space with contracts coming off and only Andersen to re-sign that year and the cap will go up then cause of Seattle joining the league. & if you don't think multiple players will take lower money to stay.. look at Tavares and Matthews. Both left money on the table to sign in Toronto. So you can't say it's not possible for Marner to take a bit less now, and get paid even more in a few seasons.

You're right but I changed my opinion by about mid December. ONLY because his play his taken such a dramatic turn downward. I just can't imagine Marleau hanging onto being a Leaf when he is going to sitting in the press box all of 2019/20., if he remained a player in the NHL.