You are off your rocker completely if you think Johnsson is going to get more than Kapanan. Also, Johnson is going to get at most 2.25M AAV.

I think Johnsson should get more because I think he was better than Kapanen this season

What's the obsession with trading Zaitsev? (by so many) Liljegren isn't NHL ready and Benning isn't an improvement. There are highest priced forwards that can be traded and get a return.

Johnsson has already turned down an offer worth 2,6mil. Lol

I think the obsession with trading him comes from his contract. Benning may not be an improvement but he sure is cheaper.

Some of you are crazy if you think Johnsson and Kapanen sign for less than 3mil. They will turn it down and for (in all likelihood) a low second rounder in compensation, somebody will snatch them up.

And even though, its hardly any money to put together a solid defense.

As your lineup shows above, its a very thin team. And not moving a forward to address the defense, results in the same results.

A substantial forward salary (and not Marleau) will have to go: Kadri, Nylander, Hyman, Johnsson, Kapanen, at least one of those.

Well said, except Hyman is staying. He is the leafs best utility guy and he plays well with everyone.

Connor Brown scored 20 goals and got 2.1M so at the end of the day the stats matter.

then hes going to arbitration, at which point he will get less than 2.6M. lol its an easy one for the Leafs. Connor Brown scored 20 and got 2.1M. So the leafs have an internal comparable.

Yeah, but Johnsson had more points in less games and player salaries have gone up since Brown signed his contract.

yes, but 2.1M and 3+ are HUGE gaps. Considering Johnsson will not be signing a long term deal, ie 5 years or more, the money will be low. Leafs are not buying UFA years.

I think 3 x 2,85 would be fair

Evolving-hockey's predictions have Johnsson making more but also getting more term (3.7/4 vs. 2.3/2)

it all comes down to how many years each of them get. UFA cost more obviously.