That would be bad for Toronto. They woul match but Johnsson and Engvall would have to go and they wouldnt have money to spend on the UFA market. Definitely not the ideal contract.

I don't think Mikheyev is the type of guy to take an offersheet though. He seems very loyal and Dubas bought him cloths while he was in the hospital.

However, I think his contract will be more than 2.5M.

He would need to sign it first, and he wont, so keep trying to take advantage of Toronto's "cap situation".

Why wouldn't he sign something that's offering $1-1.5mil more per year that takes him into UFA status?

Because he is loyal to his team that gave him a chance in NHL and to GM who helped him in most difficult situation in his life. There is more to contracts than just numbers.

Nice, level-headed response. I tried to make it a deal that would be really tough on Toronto. Needed to be more than what Johnsson was making just so one move couldn't be a fix. They'd have to find a couple of moves to make it work. On top of that, it's a deal that works for Mikheyev as well. Brings him into UFA status at 29, makes a total of between $4-5mil extra over the course of the contract than what the Leafs could offer him. Seems like it would be an enticing offer sheet.

I love your faith in your players. It's good to see. Too bad there isn't much data to back up that assertion in Toronto. Marner's contract negotiation is going to hang over that team like a cloud, in my opinion. "If our best players aren't willing to take a discount, and are going to rake Dubas over the coals, why shouldn't I get what I'm worth?" type questions. Matthews' contract is huge, Tavares didn't take a discount to play in Toronto. Etc etc. Just my opinion though.

What does any of that backstory have to do with value via AGM posts? If Dubas cared about the guy, he would tell him we can match that and then offer him a similiar contract, or he signs a contract that pays him the most money. The whole, hey remember the time i was a decent human being to you, so you should turn down $3-$4 million dollars over the life the deal, doesnt seem like a great argument.

So because the Leafs bought him some clothes while in the hospital and gave him a chance in the NHL he is going to walk away from an extra 5 Million?? I don't think so!

Tavares did take a discount to play in Toronto. He was offered 13M from Sharks and 12M from Isles. Also.. those contracts of Marner and Matthews were not with much discount because there was a babcock as coach. Some sort of Babs tax if you will. And yes, thats a real thing! Once he was gone, you can see Holl signing a beautiful deal for 2M for 3Y which is super good for #4-#5 D. I think Mikheyev would take 2.25-2.5M deal for 3 years in Toronto and re-sign from age 28-33 with 5 year deal and then go to Russia to finish his career. I have faith in player I know and I would continue to have. Offersheet believers who believed Kapanen, Johnsson, Marner would all get offersheeted were so quiet after last summer. It was amazing to see. Mikheyev wont get offersheeted and wont sign an offersheet. I believe that actions of GM in toughest time of his life and stability in Leafs organization and being a key member of future contender would be key in that decision.

Thats just a side thing on that whole Mikheyev wont sign offersheet thing. Its just plain ridiculous. Dubas matches that with smile on his face and gladly accepts that if Mikheyev really signed it which he wont.

3.75 million is a lot for someone with 39 NHL games.

Its not about "some clothes", its about the fact that Dubas stayed with him in hospital for a bloody week and was around him. Thats important for any player. And yes, if you are brought in and given chance in NHL while being on potential contender and you get to know your team and you get an important role, you would want to stay in that team and help them as much as you can. Dubas laughs on that offersheet and matches it in a second. The thing is, Mikheyev wont even sign it..

I'm no expert in Canadian dollars, but taxes in California and New York probably make those contract values closer than you'd like to admit. And I'm sorry, but Babcock had absolutely nothing to do with the contract values for Marner and Matthews. That is solely on the GM and the player/player agent.

One thing we agree on is that an offer sheet is unlikely. I sincerely doubt the Kings do this. As a GM it's something I'd have on my mind at the very least. But hey, that's why I'm on AGM. But it is fun to look at and think about, and like I said I think Toronto has a difficult time matching and that Mikheyev would certainly give it sincere thought.

Babcock had a lot to do with those contracts. Those guys hated his guts. And I know that for sure.

But we agree that offersheet is unlikely. However Toronto is in better contract situations than many other teams which is something people dont like.

Yup, but the Kings have cap space to play with and holes on the LW that aren't going to be filled in by prospects, unless Turcotte slides to the left. And you've got to overpay for an offersheet to actually work.

MIkheyev would rather take a lesser 1 year deal to stay with the leafs and potentially get 4mil in the following year. He could show his potential and get paid more. He wouldn't sign it

If you want the advantage of 'taking him to UFA status' you'd have to have a 1 year contract. 4 years hes just giving up 3 UFA years. That might be an offer sheet Toronto doesn't match, 3.75 mil for 1 year.

https://sports.yahoo.com/toronto-maple-leafs-mike-babcock-allegedly-put-a-rookie-mitch-marner-in-a-tough-spot-024212428.html

Babs had a lot to do with these contracts