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Big Buff

Created by: Juice
Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Feb. 4, 2020
Published: Feb. 4, 2020
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Does Byfuglien still want to play hockey? I have no idea. It just doesn't make sense to me why he'd drop his grievance with the Jets and forfeit this year's and next year's salary just to have his contract terminated.

The theory here is that you sign him to a pro-rated deal, put him on LTIR, let him re-hab, if he's ready, send him to the AHL to do a conditioning stint in the minors near the end of the season...then call him up for playoffs.

Reasonable? No...probably not. We've seen what players look like when they miss most of the year + the timing would have to work out almost perfectly for it to work.

We've seen lots of Dumba trade offers. I'd love to see something like this work out using Johnsson/Liljegren/Pick as the base and Ceci simply as cap ballast

Ryan Miller? I dunno...just having fun with that one. Not sure he'd leave sunny California for Toronto...but maybe for one last playoff run. Numbers are better than Hutch at least but that isn't saying much. I just don't think it's work it for the leafs to overpay for someone like Georgiev just to be a backup
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. Byfuglien, Dustin ($3,800,000 retained)
WPG
  1. 2020 7th round pick (WPG)
2.
3.
ANA
  1. Hutchinson, Michael
  2. 2020 4th round pick (TOR)
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2020
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CAR
Logo of the COL
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the STL
2021
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
2022
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
22$81,500,000$81,483,810$0$1,402,500$16,190
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,250,000$2,250,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,634,000$11,634,000
C
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$10,893,000$10,893,000
RW
UFA - 6
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 6
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$6,962,366$6,962,366
RW
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$775,000$775,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,500,000$3,500,000
LW, C, RW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,200,000$3,200,000
RW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$694,444$694,444 (Performance Bonus$70,000$70K)
LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$700,000$700,000
C, RW
NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$675,000$675,000
C
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD
UFA - 3
Logo of the Minnesota Wild
$6,000,000$6,000,000
RD
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$4,000,000$4,000,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,750,000$2,750,000
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$863,333$863,333
LD/RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$675,000$675,000
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Anaheim Ducks
$1,125,000$1,125,000 (Performance Bonus$1,200,000$1M)
G
M-NTC
UFA - 1
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$767,500$767,500 (Performance Bonus$132,500$132K)
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,250,000$5,250,000
RW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$894,167$894,167
LD
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,300,000$5,300,000
RW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Winnipeg Jets
$3,800,000$3,800,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1

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Feb. 4, 2020 at 9:54 a.m.
#1
LongtimeLeafsufferer
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Buff contract can't be terminated if he's LTIR. So either he is ready to play or he is not. I don't think Buff is going to leave the Jets and leave the Jets money on the table just to sign elsewhere.

But it brings up a interesting scenario. Let's imagine a "star" player wants to end his career elsewhere. For example he's getting 10m but on a poor team and in the summer retires. Then he signs for a 5m deal with a contender. Sure he loses 5m, but for guy who might have made 80m in his career....so what.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:15 a.m.
#2
#LeafsFever
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Byfuglien's situation is somewhat unique, as far as precedent goes. You mentioned something about forfeiting his salary. Part of the issue is that he's suspended without pay, and which will continue indefinitely until his grievance his decided. So, the dropping of the grievance would basically be a settlement of sorts, since regardless of what his salary is next season, he might never see it anyway. By dropping the grievance, and by him and the Jets mutually parting ways, it allows him the opportunity to start fresh and provides him the chance at another contract next season.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:17 a.m.
#3
#LeafsFever
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Quoting: palhal
Buff contract can't be terminated if he's LTIR. So either he is ready to play or he is not. I don't think Buff is going to leave the Jets and leave the Jets money on the table just to sign elsewhere.

But it brings up a interesting scenario. Let's imagine a "star" player wants to end his career elsewhere. For example he's getting 10m but on a poor team and in the summer retires. Then he signs for a 5m deal with a contender. Sure he loses 5m, but for guy who might have made 80m in his career....so what.


It is my understanding that he is not on the LTIR, he is suspended indefinitely by the Jets for breach of contract.
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Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:18 a.m.
#4
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Quoting: palhal
Buff contract can't be terminated if he's LTIR. So either he is ready to play or he is not. I don't think Buff is going to leave the Jets and leave the Jets money on the table just to sign elsewhere.

But it brings up a interesting scenario. Let's imagine a "star" player wants to end his career elsewhere. For example he's getting 10m but on a poor team and in the summer retires. Then he signs for a 5m deal with a contender. Sure he loses 5m, but for guy who might have made 80m in his career....so what.


I did not know this. Was simply going off of Seravalli's reports last night and he seemed to imply that he'll become a UFA but hasn't even started skating yet (nor does anyone really know if he wants to still play hockey).
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:20 a.m.
#5
torontos finest
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The trade doesn't make any sense for the Jets. If Winnipeg retains salary, they are losing that 3.8 million in cap regardless of Byfuglien's status on the Leafs. They can't put that on LITR.

If you actually want to sign Byfuglien, wait until his contract is terminated.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:22 a.m.
#6
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I don't like that Minnesota trade. Liljegren has too much potential to be traded away at this point, the Leafs are going to need his low salary as well.

Signing Buff once this process clears up is something lots of teams will want to do. It will be up to him where he wants to go and where he thinks he can see the most ice time. The Leafs make some sense, but I am sure the Lightning will go calling as well. Tough choice. Maybe Carolina as well, Pittsburgh?
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:27 a.m.
#7
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Thanks for the comments. Yes...he's been suspended without pay, not on LTIR...but that doesn't mean that a signing team can't place him there, I don't think. His ankle injury would qualify him for it, anyway.

Everything I've heard about Buff paints him as a very interesting dude. Teammates say he's awesome in the locker room but would be just as happy hunting and fishing as he would playing hockey. So it's possible he's dropping his grievance just to be done with the situation and he'll ride off into the sunset. But I have no doubt teams will be calling his agent asking about his intentions. Stands to reason a team could sign him, let him rehab, to an AHL conditioning stint, and then decide if he looks good enough to join the big team
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:27 a.m.
#8
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Quoting: MG1986
It is my understanding that he is not on the LTIR, he is suspended indefinitely by the Jets for breach of contract.


Correct: https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/jets
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:28 a.m.
#9
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Quoting: mondo
The trade doesn't make any sense for the Jets. If Winnipeg retains salary, they are losing that 3.8 million in cap regardless of Byfuglien's status on the Leafs. They can't put that on LITR.

If you actually want to sign Byfuglien, wait until his contract is terminated.


Agreed. It's intended to wait for the contract termination, not actually trade with Winnipeg...otherwise none of it makes sense. Trade shown here is simply the logistics of adding him to the roster.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:29 a.m.
#10
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Quoting: Juice
Thanks for the comments. Yes...he's been suspended without pay, not on LTIR...but that doesn't mean that a signing team can't place him there, I don't think. His ankle injury would qualify him for it, anyway.

Everything I've heard about Buff paints him as a very interesting dude. Teammates say he's awesome in the locker room but would be just as happy hunting and fishing as he would playing hockey. So it's possible he's dropping his grievance just to be done with the situation and he'll ride off into the sunset. But I have no doubt teams will be calling his agent asking about his intentions. Stands to reason a team could sign him, let him rehab, to an AHL conditioning stint, and then decide if he looks good enough to join the big team


It's an interesting idea, but I heard somewhere that he's like 50 lbs overweight. If true, there's no way he could get into game shape by the playoffs.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:31 a.m.
#11
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Quoting: newballcoach
I don't like that Minnesota trade. Liljegren has too much potential to be traded away at this point, the Leafs are going to need his low salary as well.

Signing Buff once this process clears up is something lots of teams will want to do. It will be up to him where he wants to go and where he thinks he can see the most ice time. The Leafs make some sense, but I am sure the Lightning will go calling as well. Tough choice. Maybe Carolina as well, Pittsburgh?


That's fair. It's simply my personal opinion that Liljegren is not going to amount to much and I'd rather use his trade chip now while it's high. Could certainly backfire...but imagine that, short of doing a Nylander-Dumba type deal, Minny would need a young roster player, high prospect and a pick as a general framework for a deal. I personally wouldn't hesitate to make that deal but understand those who believe that Liljegren will be a meaningful contributor on the blue line in the next few years.
Feb. 4, 2020 at 10:34 a.m.
#12
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Quoting: CD282
It's an interesting idea, but I heard somewhere that he's like 50 lbs overweight. If true, there's no way he could get into game shape by the playoffs.


I can believe that. Certainly wouldn't be the first time he's shown up overweight. But it's low risk for a team that's okay simply paying his salary.

It's more likely he doesn't sign anywhere this year, then decides over the summer if he wants to retire or give it another go.
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Feb. 4, 2020 at 3:48 p.m.
#13
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I can't see Buff playing anywhere this season. Recovering from an injury, hasn't played any hockey all year and expects to jump into game shape immediately? Nah, I could see this being an off-season reclamation project for a contender.
 
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