Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: May 7, 2019

Published: May 7, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Obviously it only works if Marleau wants to/is willing to retire or mutually terminate his contract after the trade, then sign with SJ for the $1.25M he lost out on (in that case Ottawa makes out even better, they wouldn't pay Marleau a cent).

If he retires, Ottawa saves $1.75M (real dollars vs. keeping Condon) and gets $6.25M (fake cap dollars) to help reach the floor.

The Leafs reduce the Marleau cap hit from $6.25M to $4.925M for the cost of $6M real dollars (3M Marleau signing bonus + 3M Condon 19-20 salary).

I didn't fill out the rest of the roster, but this gives the Leafs about 21M to sign:
- Marner (10-11)
- Kapanen(2.5-3.5)
- Johnnsson (2.5-3.5)
- Find a D (Sandin? Liljegren? Resign Hainsey @ 1M?)
- Fill out a 4th line wing spot (perhaps a Marlie like Bracco or one of the recently signed Russians - 850K-925K)
- Add a 700K scratch or two (Borgman/Timashov).

They might even have enough left to look for a backup goalie or 4C upgrade.

It is doable. Not "pretty", but doable. They would have the option to consider moving either Kadri or Nylander out for an upgrade on D as well. The one who stays becomes the 3C.

Note I have Brown on LTIR, I think he is moved for a pick or prospect prior to the draft. Just stashing him there so people don't comment needlessly on his value.

If I were Dubas, I would try to find a way to make this work for Marleau, while of course being completely respectful of his career, desires, etc. It is a business though, and I am sure that conversations around this possibility were discussed prior to his signing with Lou.