Quoting: Trickster
This is not bad overall.
I still believe Marners cap number will be lower but that will depend on what some other RFAs get, like Ratanen.
Marner should be lower than him, period.
The only issue on this scenario is the D.
I am no longer sure anymore if Dermott is anything more than a 3rd pair D, this year will decide if he is or not.
In case Dermott is more, than he slides into the slot Muzzin is going forward, if he is not then he stays 3rd pair.
So that leaves Rielly without a partner.
This is the real challenge for anyone compelling a roster next season
How come you did not include Bracco on the roster?
I will bet my bottom dollar he makes the roster.
Marner is hands down better than Rantanen. If you look at advance stats for Rantanen, he's highly dependent on McKinnon who could be a top 3 player in the entire league. Maybe even top 2 at this point. He's not that far off from McDavid and Crosby. McKinnon carries the line much like how McDavid takes Draisaitl from a very good player to an elite one. Tavares helps Marner yes but Marner also does drive a lot of the play and the advance stats support that.
With all that said, I would welcome him at a cheaper rate but I doubt that happens.
On to Dermott.
The kid has 1 full (injury shortened) season and I think he showed some growing pains at time as most young players do. But he's a terrific skater and I think the more confidence he gets with carrying the puck will help him immensely. I have faith that he will have a long and effective career for the Leafs. I think he can develop into a good penalty killer and his skating could make him a decent shutdown guy as well.
As for down the line, we have Sandin and Liljegren who both look like they will be NHLers in the near future as well. I think the team has a lot of high value guys on the blue line that will impress in the next couple of seasons. Rosen and Borgman I think will have good seasons for the Leafs next year. They could be a nice bottom pair that will skate well and be physical (in Borgman's case).
As for Bracco, I think he needs one more year in the minors to work on his skating and defensive game. That will help him really prepare for the future and if he does that, then he'll get on the team full time. Or if Nylander or Marner get hurt, he can come and be a playmaker for the top two lines.