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Full season of Matthews-Tavares-Marner

Created by: Daryl
Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Aug. 7, 2020
Published: Aug. 10, 2020
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
As shown during the Columbus series, Toronto's line of Matthews-Tavares-Marner was incredibly dominant, and should be given to chance to play a full season (lines like this work for teams like Colorado and Boston). Only issue with this line was the fact that the other three lines sucked....

Truth is, Nylander is simply not a center anymore, which raises the need for a new 2C. Morgan Rielly is great offensively, which makes him redundant given the Leafs already have great offense. Moving Rielly who was great 2 years ago but struggled this year, for Max Domi who was also great 2 years ago but struggled this year, helps both Toronto and Montreal. Leafs get an aggressive 2C (Habs still have Danault, Suzuki, and Kotkaniemi) and the Habs fill a major need at LD (Rielly-Weber should be fun). The Leafs then start the season with a line of Hyman-Domi-Nylander but probably eventually swap Hyman with Robertson.

Then there's the defense...

Leafs fans need to accept that Dubas won't be able to acquire an elite RHD as they are simply far too expensive. The best he can do is construct a d-core that is solid, reliable, and can actually support Andersen.

Henri Jokiharju is a massive risk but he's cheap, young, and would likely play well next to Jake Muzzin. Moving Johnsson hurts but it frees up cap, and allows for Robertson to have an increased role. Buffalo already has some RHD depth and could really benefit from having Johnsson in a top six role.

I'm a big fan of Scott Mayfield who can provide a shutdown role the Leafs have been lacking, he also makes very little money relative to other d-men. Kapanen's speed probably makes him an immediate line-mate to Mathew Barzal, and he should help an Islanders team that has struggled severely with goal scoring.

Overall, the team isn't perfect but I think allowing the nuclear topline to play together is a huge plus. In addition, the defense still isn't ideal, but if Sandin and Lehtonen can produce, perhaps the Leafs could see a series win.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$750,000
2$875,000
1$950,000
1$950,000
1$800,000
4$6,800,000
2$3,000,000
1$2,000,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$750,000
1$750,000
1$800,000
1$1,000,000
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. Mayfield, Scott
  2. 2021 3rd round pick (NYI)
2.
TOR
  1. Domi, Max [RFA Rights]
  2. Ylönen, Jesse
  3. 2020 3rd round pick (MTL)
MTL
  1. Rielly, Morgan
  2. 2020 4th round pick (TOR)
3.
TOR
  1. Jokiharju, Henri
  2. 2022 3rd round pick (BUF)
4.
TOR
  1. 2021 3rd round pick (ARI)
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2020
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CAR
Logo of the COL
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the STL
Logo of the WPG
2021
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the ARI
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 BUF
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$81,371,450$0$637,500$128,550
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,640,250$11,640,250
C
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$10,903,000$10,903,000
RW
UFA - 5
$6,800,000$6,800,000
C, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$6,962,366$6,962,366
RW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,250,000$2,250,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,500,000$3,500,000
LW, C, RW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,000,000$2,000,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$821,667$821,667
LW, RW
RFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,000,000$1,000,000
C, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,250,000$1,250,000
RW, LW
UFA - 2
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,625,000$5,625,000
LD
NMC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$637,500$638K)
RD
RFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,000,000$3,000,000
LD/RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,650,000$1,650,000
G
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$894,167$894,167
LD
UFA - 2
Logo of the New York Islanders
$1,450,000$1,450,000
RD
UFA - 3
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$950,000$950,000
C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$700,000$700,000
LD
UFA - 1

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Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:18 p.m.
#1
Ban Price trades
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If the Sabres trade Jokiharju - nevermind to a divisional rival - I'll boil a boot and eat the damn thing. Miller is a much more realistic target given what you're offering.

That Montreal trade is incredibly awful for the Leafs.
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Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:18 p.m.
#2
Formerly Jamiepo
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From what I have heard mayfield won’t cost that much and he isn’t playing well.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:19 p.m.
#3
Formerly Jamiepo
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Quoting: BeterChiarelli
If the Sabres trade Jokiharju - nevermind to a divisional rival - I'll boil a boot and eat the damn thing. Miller is a much more realistic target given what you're offering.

That Montreal trade is incredibly awful for the Leafs.

He even added a 3rd coming back lol.
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Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:20 p.m.
#4
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: BeterChiarelli
If the Sabres trade Jokiharju - nevermind to a divisional rival - I'll boil a boot and eat the damn thing. Miller is a much more realistic target given what you're offering.

That Montreal trade is incredibly awful for the Leafs.


Aside form Eichel, Reinhart, and Olofsson the Sabres offense is pretty dry. Johnsson could easily slot in the top six and the power play and make an impact.

Did you watch the TOR/CBJ series? Rielly looked lost on the ice. Domi is only a year removed from 70 points. A season with Robertson and Nylander could easily return him to that. He's also the exact type of player the Leafs have been in need of since Kadri got moved.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:21 p.m.
#5
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Jamiepo
From what I have heard mayfield won’t cost that much and he isn’t playing well.


Kapanen also haven't been playing well. Can't just offer up the good'ol Bracco, Kappy, and a 3rd and expect a miracle.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:23 p.m.
#6
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Quoting: Daryl
Aside form Eichel, Reinhart, and Olofsson the Sabres offense is pretty dry. Johnsson could easily slot in the top six and the power play and make an impact.

Did you watch the TOR/CBJ series? Rielly looked lost on the ice. Domi is only a year removed from 70 points. A season with Robertson and Nylander could easily return him to that. He's also the exact type of player the Leafs have been in need of since Kadri got moved.


Yeah but they are not trading their best RD who’s only 20 they have Skinner, Olofsson, Kahun,Johansson as left wingers. Ristolainen Miller and Montour are all available.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:25 p.m.
#7
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Out of curiosity would you trade Sandin and a 3rd for Andreas Johnsson? That is basically what you are offering Buffalo, Jokiharju is one of the top defense prospects in the league
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:25 p.m.
#8
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Toronto's biggest weakness is defence. You've made their defence equivalent to a slightl a live average AHL defence.

Keeping the big 3 together for an entire season isn't smart. They're paid money to drive play themselves and centres are key. Tavares and Matthews need to play on different lines. Use them together when needed to throw teams off, but you can't keep them like that all year.

& Domi really shouldn't be a centre. Although he'd be a tremendous fit beside Matthews and Marner. Cost is likely gonna be too high to get him from a divisional and historical rival like Montreal. Rather spend the assets on team needs than adding to a strength.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:27 p.m.
#9
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Sabres923
Yeah but they are not trading their best RD who’s only 20 they have Skinner, Olofsson, Kahun,Johansson as left wingers. Ristolainen Miller and Montour are all available.


Montour is easily the most overrated D in the league. Ristolainen isn't great at all. And Colin Miller is decent. Impact top-six wingers aren't cheap, and Montour, Risto, and Miller certaintly aren't as luxurious D options as they used to look.

I'll admit that its probably better if the Leafs added the pick to Johnsson, rather than Buffalo adding it to Jokiharju.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:28 p.m.
#10
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Quoting: Daryl
Montour is easily the most overrated D in the league. Ristolainen isn't great at all. And Colin Miller is decent. Impact top-six wingers aren't cheap, and Montour, Risto, and Miller certaintly aren't as luxurious D options as they used to look.

I'll admit that its probably better if the Leafs added the pick to Johnsson, rather than Buffalo adding it to Jokiharju.

That’s the point they aren’t trading their best RD especially at a position they don’t need improving.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:29 p.m.
#11
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Ryminister_27
Toronto's biggest weakness is defence. You've made their defence equivalent to a slightl a live average AHL defence.

Keeping the big 3 together for an entire season isn't smart. They're paid money to drive play themselves and centres are key. Tavares and Matthews need to play on different lines. Use them together when needed to throw teams off, but you can't keep them like that all year.

& Domi really shouldn't be a centre. Although he'd be a tremendous fit beside Matthews and Marner. Cost is likely gonna be too high to get him from a divisional and historical rival like Montreal. Rather spend the assets on team needs than adding to a strength.


I understand your point, but looking at how important Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen and Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak have been to their teams, I think the Leafs could seriously improve with Matthews-Tavares-Marner as the topline.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:31 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: Daryl
I understand your point, but looking at how important Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen and Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak have been to their teams, I think the Leafs could seriously improve with Matthews-Tavares-Marner as the topline.


The big difference between those 2 lines and Toronto's is:
1. The money the players are being played
2. Toronto has 2 centres. Both those teams lack good centre depth behind they're top lines. (Kadri and Krecji are decent, but they're not the level of Matthews or Tavares)
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:33 p.m.
#13
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Sabres923
That’s the point they aren’t trading their best RD especially at a position they don’t need improving.


You guys tied with Arizona for 10th last in goals scored this past year. Take away Jack Eichel's input and you guys finish second last (ahead of Detroit). You desperately need offense from other players not named Jack Eichel.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:37 p.m.
#14
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Ryminister_27
The big difference between those 2 lines and Toronto's is:
1. The money the players are being played
2. Toronto has 2 centres. Both those teams lack good centre depth behind they're top lines. (Kadri and Krecji are decent, but they're not the level of Matthews or Tavares)


I really don't think you can factor money as reason not to build a line capable of carrying the team. MacK, Landy, Bergeron, and Marchand were all signed at very different times than Marner, Matthews, and JT, hence why they make so much less. Ultimately, I think Keefe has to put out the lineup capable of producing the most goals. Of course if it doesn't work out you can always move Matthews back to 2C and put Domi or Kerfoot on the wing. What I'm saying is, this line is low risk high reward; if it works we win, and if it doesn't work we have alternative options.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:38 p.m.
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Quoting: Daryl
I really don't think you can factor money as reason not to build a line capable of carrying the team. MacK, Landy, Bergeron, and Marchand were all signed at very different times than Marner, Matthews, and JT, hence why they make so much less. Ultimately, I think Keefe has to put out the lineup capable of producing the most goals. Of course if it doesn't work out you can always move Matthews back to 2C and put Domi or Kerfoot on the wing. What I'm saying is, this line is low risk high reward; if it works we win, and if it doesn't work we have alternative options.


Absolutely you can factor the money in. They're paid to drive play. If they weren't, they wouldn't be making over $10M each. When you make $11M a year you shouldn't have to play with the best players to create offence. You should be able to carry others to do it
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:42 p.m.
#16
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get ur corsi up
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Quoting: Ryminister_27
Absolutely you can factor the money in. They're paid to drive play. If they weren't, they wouldn't be making over $10M each. When you make $11M a year you shouldn't have to play with the best players to create offence. You should be able to carry others to do it


And I get what you mean. What I'm arguing is that you should just make the lineup most likely to win the cup. Matthews-Tavares-Marner would be such a dominant line that can only work if we have the depth, with a guy like Max Domi I'd say we definitely do.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:43 p.m.
#17
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Quoting: Daryl
You guys tied with Arizona for 10th last in goals scored this past year. Take away Jack Eichel's input and you guys finish second last (ahead of Detroit). You desperately need offense from other players not named Jack Eichel.


There is no question that the sabres drastically need to improve their offense to become a good team. It's possible this trade even makes us better (I would doubt it).

There is also no question that if the Sabres do decide to trade Jokiharju, there would be significantly better offers for a young top 4 RHD on his ELC, especially in a cap strapped league.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:43 p.m.
#18
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Quoting: Daryl
You guys tied with Arizona for 10th last in goals scored this past year. Take away Jack Eichel's input and you guys finish second last (ahead of Detroit). You desperately need offense from other players not named Jack Eichel.


Obviously but they need Right wingers and centers not a 40 point LW which they already have plenty of.
Aug. 10, 2020 at 9:06 p.m.
#19
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Buffalo easily declines
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Aug. 10, 2020 at 9:16 p.m.
#20
Buffsbrain
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Quoting: Jamiepo
From what I have heard mayfield won’t cost that much and he isn’t playing well.


Idk where you heard that but he has been pretty solid for the isles in the qualifier round especially when they had to rotate 5 dmen
Aug. 10, 2020 at 9:45 p.m.
#21
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Islanders say maybe. Not sure if the Leafs are a team they want to deal with especially giving them something the need.
 
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