Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: May 17, 2019

Published: May 25, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Leaf's CAP situation comes down to choices. For me I choose Nylander, Kapanen and Johnsson over Kadri's contract. Nylander is at a reduced value now because of his performance last year, he needs time to prove his worth or not. Kapanen has lots on his side: Youth, Speed and PK. Johnsson also has lots on his side: Youth, tenacious and PP. Kadri will never be a second line center with the Leafs and therefore will not reach the 30 goal plateau here again, I think he will age poorly here as he plays aggressively and is not a large body. The value of his contract versus his return as a second line center elsewhere is what makes him the choice to go. Of course this may be fluid and change if either Kapanen or Johnsson hold out for significant raises above the 3M level!
Overall I see an acceptance that Gardiner and Brown must go. The next choice is Kadri versus Zaitsev, while many are down on Zaitsev I see him as doing what the coaching staff wants, become defensive and work on the PK versus where he started at that earned him this contract. I too see the contract as slightly too high and way too long but that is done now. The option I see is instead of trading one and weakening that position trade both and seek a return that downgrades only slightly the two positions. I am hoping for comments on the value of the Philly trade, do the Leafs have to add for Zaitsev's contract, ie Bracco or another prospect. Regarding the FA signings I did not worry about a specific amount to each player, instead I figure the average of signing the 5 players should come close to 19-20M. Hoping some savings here or the CAP increasing to 83.5M will handle this small deficit. Cheers all, great time to speculate!

1.

2.