Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 27, 2019

Published: Jun. 27, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This is an ideal scenario. Marner takes a realistic bridge deal since he doesn't want full term unless he's getting way overpaid. I think 3 years @ 21 million is reasonable (especially if it's front loaded in bonuses) but you can put it up to 24 easily with the cap space that exists.

Murphy will be overmatched on the 1st pair, but he can help make up for some of Reilly's flaws in D-zone and comes cheap and predictable. Prout and Wellinski could both challenge for the bottom pair, with both potential playing with Dermott not ready for the first game. If the D is still struggling there is always potential to add at the trade deadline. Mike Green with salary retention or a similar 2020 UFA.

Top 2 lines are solid offensively and Hyman can slot in wherever you want him in the top 9 when he returns. A couple of low-cost UFA forwards to help make up for losing Brown and Marleau.

Will it be this easy? Of course not. Is that D great, no not really. But this lineup is probably better then what we had in the playoffs last year, so that's at least a start.

Would love to hear your thoughts, next few days should be very interesting. Go Leafs!

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