Quoting: Chiller
I think Sandin will have earned it. Holl, in a limited roll actually playing and not becoming rusty I think can be a decent bottom 6. But yeah definately not ideal. As I said a Stralman or Miller would be perfect, but you just cannot afford it unless you ship out Marleau with his NMC.
Howelse could you jettison Cap? What are your thoughts?
The 3 worst contracts on the Leafs in my opinion
1. Ziatsev
2. Marleau
3. Brown
4. After that i am lost. In terms of Value/$ =Matthews good, Nylander great, Kadri Amazing, JT Good, Andersen Great, 4th line cheap,Marners will probably fine. Maybe sell high on Johnsson? But you got to keep Kappy
How else is one supose to shed cap.
I figure once the Leafs sign all their RFAs they are 7m over the cap. Now I retired Marleau and trading of his cap solves a lot of problems. as that would creates about 5.5m cap saving..
But if he doesn't retire....yep its 7m. Now I don't understand hardly any of these silly, yes silly Zaitsev trades. You say yourself that "he has the worst contract", well if that's the case no team will want him as no team wants dead cap. for such a long period of time. But the reality is Zaitsev as a minute eating RHD, and is contract is not bad . And there is no way the Leafs could depend on Holl, Marincin, Liljegren as a regular next year. So it looks like Zaitsev has to stay. There just isn't a cost efficient way to replace him either next season.
So if you're talking about 7m that has to go...you can virtually do it with one player being traded....Nylander. Now I don't understand how any one can say his 20 goals, 60 goals is great value. He's overpaid by any NHL comparable. His actual pay out in cash is just 4.9m a year for five years starting next year which makes him attractive to some teams despite his near 7m cap hit. To achieve this net 7m either at that he would have to traded for prospects or picks.
How did the Leafs get in this cap trouble. Signing 11m. Tavares....as a UFA. Not that I disagree at all with the signing but it has a big affect on the cap. Then to overpay Matthews and Nylander too. And Marner.Kapanen and Johnson with their improved play deserve more money than expected. Also the acquisition of 4m Muzzin.
Not that want Nylander to be traded, but he's about the only guy that can be traded and will give the Leafs flexibility to sign their other players to reasonable contracts. I'd rather trade Nylander and have just one roster spot to fill at right wing where the Leafs do have competent NHLers to replace him.
IMO Marleau is going to retire. His play has fallen off badly this season. The Leafs probably would not have acquired Muzzin unless they knew Marleau was going to retire and then his cap. hit can be traded.