Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 21, 2019

Published: Jun. 21, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Leafs have a couple difficult situations ahead of them.
They start out at just under 8 million in cap space with. They also have 8 RFAs and 8 UFAs. That works out to about $500k per player, not even the league minimum.

The Leafs can, and will create some easy space by putting Nate Horton on long term IR. this adds $5.3 million in space, but also adds a need for another skater.

Now as most people would assume the Leafs number one priority is signing Marner. Marner likely will want any where between 10-12 million. The leafs have 13 million in space now so they can sign him right? Well they have to sign other players too, so they will need more space than that. One option to create room is trading Marleau, he carries a big hit, and has said he would like to go to San Jose. However San Jose can't afford him either. Now unfortunately the Leafs likely won't be able to move Marleau with out adding an attractive enough asset for another team to take his massive contract. One of their other RFAs Johnsson or Kapanen are the most likely assets for this. Trading Marleau and Kapanen won't net a great return, but they do get $ 6 million in space.

The big deal for the Leafs can now relatively safely get done. The Leafs have enough space where signing Marner won't eat all their cap. Now for the deal many are suggesting Marner wants to bet on him self, and would only sign an 8 year deal if the money was right. A 6 year $ 64.5 million deal gives Marner a large pay day that doesn't kill the Leafs, and give him a chance to cash in again at 28 years old.

this leaves the Leafs with $8.5 Million in space. They still need to sign some forward and defensive depth. They also have to deal with Zaitsev who reportedly wants out of Toronto.
Reports are also Zaitsev would need a sweetener, the Leafs knowing they cannot afford Johnsson are willing to trade him to get a better return.
trading Zaitsev and Johnsson, leaves the leafs with 13 million left to spend. The Leafs could use a middle 6 left wing, a second pairing defensemen and a backup goaltender, as sparks likely won't play for them.

The Leafs sign
Brian Boyle, Boyle gives the Leafs a physical player who as the ability to put pucks in the net. they sign him to a short reasonable 2 year $6.6 Million deal.
Ron Hainsey, Hainsey resigns with the leafs giving them a reliable defensive option on the second pair and gives him one last shot at a cup, 1 year $3 million.
Brian Elliot, a former starter gives the leafs a reliable #2 goalie , and at a reasonable price of a 2 year deal worth $4.7 million

These moves essentially are not making the leafs any better but preserving what they have.
Now personally the Leafs could be much better if they trade or let Marner get offer sheeted. But its hard to let homegrown talent like that leave.

1.

2.

3.