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What If Everyone Took Less To Win

Created by: AnalyticsGeek
Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Sep. 21, 2020
Published: Sep. 21, 2020
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
I decided to make this post because I’ve seen a lot of Leaf fans (and hockey fans in general) turn against John Tavares and downplay his quality as a player. In my opinion, there should be no regrets at the fact the Leafs brought him in. At the time of signing, he was a franchise level player and a top 10 center in the league. He was worth whatever teams were willing to offer, and he actually took less to sign in Toronto (was reported NYI and San Jose offered him around 13 Million). You don’t pass up the opportunity to sign a player of that caliber, especially if you don’t need to give up assets.

Where the Leafs went wrong was their decisions after signing him. They should’ve traded Nazem Kadri while he had peak value to a team in need of a solid top line center. Maybe send him, a 1st and a defensive prospect for one of Dougie Hamilton or Ryan Ellis or Jared Spurgeon. Obviously they ended up paying Marner 2 Million more than his maximum value as well which added to their wounds.

For the most part, Tavares has performed up to his contract’s worth since signing it. In 2018/19 he was statistically the team’s best player as he drove offence at a level similar to Artemi Panarin, one of the front runners for the Hart. This season, he struggled during the 1st month, but that was mostly because his linemate Marner was playing at a below replacement level. He did well after that and was noticeable during the play in. In conclusion, Tavares is not the reason why the Leafs are in a difficult situation. He is the only one out of the big 4 who you can legitimately say took a pay cut to sign with the team. There were lots of things that went wrong under Shanahan’s tenure, but the Tavares signing wasn’t one of them.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$1,850,000
2$1,300,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$1,500,000
1$700,000
1$700,000
CREATEDYEARSCAP HIT
Marner, Mitchell
4$7,500,000
Nylander, William
3$6,000,000
Matthews, Auston
4$10,000,000
Muzzin, Jake
8$5,000,000
Hamilton, Dougie
1$5,750,000
Brown, Connor
2$2,850,000
Trades
1.
TOR
    Future Considerations
    OTT
      Nikita Zaitsev
      Jeremy Bracco
      Calle Rosen

      *Done During 2018 Offseason
      2.
      TOR
        Dougie Hamilton
        CGY
          Nazem Kadri
          Travis Dermott
          2019 1st Round Pick

          *Done During 2018 Offseason
          3.
          TOR
            Alexander Kerfoot
            COL
              Semyon Der-Arguchintsev
              2020 2nd Round Pick

              *Done During 2018 Offseason
              4.
              TOR
                Future Considerations
                CAR
                  Patrick Marleau
                  Andreas Johnsson

                  *Done During 2018 Offseason
                  5.
                  ANA
                    Justin Holl
                    2020 1st Round Pick
                    Retained Salary Transactions
                    DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
                    2020
                    Logo of the PIT
                    Logo of the TOR
                    Logo of the TOR
                    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 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
                    23$81,500,000$79,329,167$0$400,000$2,170,833

                    Roster

                    Left WingCentreRight Wing
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $2,250,000$2,250,000
                    RW, LW
                    M-NTC
                    UFA - 1
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $11,000,000$11,000,000
                    C, LW
                    NMC
                    UFA - 5
                    Marner, Mitchell
                    $7,500,000$7,500,000
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $821,667$821,667
                    LW, RW
                    RFA - 4
                    Matthews, Auston
                    $10,000,000$10,000,000
                    Nylander, William
                    $6,000,000$6,000,000
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $1,850,000$1,850,000
                    LW, RW
                    UFA - 2
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $3,500,000$3,500,000
                    LW, C, RW
                    UFA - 3
                    Brown, Connor
                    $2,850,000$2,850,000
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $1,250,000$1,250,000
                    RW, LW
                    UFA - 2
                    $1,500,000$1,500,000
                    C
                    UFA - 1
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $1,300,000$1,300,000
                    LW, C
                    UFA - 1
                    Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $5,000,000$5,000,000
                    LD
                    M-NTC
                    UFA - 2
                    Hamilton, Dougie
                    $5,750,000$5,750,000
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $5,000,000$5,000,000
                    G
                    M-NTC
                    UFA - 1
                    Muzzin, Jake
                    $5,000,000$5,000,000
                    Logo of the Anaheim Ducks
                    $2,050,000$2,050,000
                    RD
                    M-NTC
                    UFA - 2
                    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 Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$400,000$400K)
                    RD
                    RFA - 2
                    ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
                    $700,000$700,000
                    RW, LW
                    UFA - 1
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $10,903,000$10,903,000
                    RW
                    UFA - 5
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $700,000$700,000
                    C, RW
                    UFA - 1
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $6,962,366$6,962,366
                    RW
                    UFA - 4
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $700,000$700,000
                    LD
                    UFA - 1
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $3,400,000$3,400,000
                    LW, RW
                    UFA - 3
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $11,640,250$11,640,250
                    C
                    UFA - 4
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $5,625,000$5,625,000
                    LD
                    NMC
                    UFA - 4
                    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
                    $2,000,000$2,000,000
                    RD
                    M-NTC
                    UFA - 3

                    Special Teams

                    Power Play 1
                    Nylander, W.
                    Matthews, A.
                    Marner, M.
                    Power Play 2
                    Hamilton, D.
                    Penalty Kill 1
                    Muzzin, J.
                    Penalty Kill 2
                    Brown, C.
                    Hamilton, D.

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                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 4:56 p.m.
                    #1
                    Banned
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                    Sorry for the tag guys but please let me know your thoughts on this team. Are they Stanley Cup caliber on paper?
                    sens65, gretzkyghosts, Price_is_the_goat and 2 others liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 4:59 p.m.
                    #2
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                    Defence is much improved but offensive depth is scary bad and still no size. Not sure how far they go.
                    FunMustBeAlways liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
                    #3
                    Go leafs go
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                    Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
                    Sorry for the tag guys but please let me know your thoughts on this team. Are they Stanley Cup caliber on paper?


                    Yes. Thank you for a non biased post, and a post without a Marner trade.
                    Giakki liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.
                    #4
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                    Quoting: Howisbergevinstillhere
                    Defence is much improved but offensive depth is scary bad and still no size. Not sure how far they go.


                    if you consider this offensive depth "very bad" im very curious to hear what you have to say about montreals offensive depth
                    mhockey91, gretzkyghosts, deys3232 and 1 other person liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.
                    #5
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                    You do realize that the zaitsev trade was done how it was because no one would take him for free, right?
                    deys3232 liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.
                    #6
                    Mr.T 17
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                    I'm sure they'd make it pass the 1st round, you've fixed the defence problems, can't count only on Muzzin to play defense, good job bruv
                    Saskleaf liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.
                    #7
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                    Quoting: vr1995
                    if you consider this offensive depth "very bad" im very curious to hear what you have to say about montreals offensive depth

                    Habs depth is good but up top isn’t nowhere close
                    gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:05 p.m.
                    #8
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                    Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
                    Sorry for the tag guys but please let me know your thoughts on this team. Are they Stanley Cup caliber on paper?


                    Ehhh, top six looks great obviously. Defense is very well put together, although Sandin and lily might be a question mark come playoffs. Ironically, the biggest thing I’d be worried about is actually Freddy. I know that might sounds crazy, given the bottom six is slightly thin, but Freddy is a huge question mark in the playoffs. Other than that, I do think this team is more improved. Grit is still missing, but balance is definitely more prevelant.
                    gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:07 p.m.
                    #9
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                    Team looks better but you could make a post like this for almost every team. The description is spot on about signing Tavares not being a mistake, I can't understand why people keep saying that
                    mhockey91 and CheechYou liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:08 p.m.
                    #10
                    Buffbry
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                    I like the team, maybe take kerfoot off of the 3rd line and trade him for a better player. Maybe move koivu to 3C and get yourself a cheap 4th line guy like lgd
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:13 p.m.
                    #11
                    Hakuna Matata
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                    what if Lou never signed Marleau and Zaitsev is the real question here.
                    Saskleaf, Remus and MMXD liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:20 p.m.
                    #12
                    The commissioner
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                    yeah It would be a decent team with more money but the problem is it was never going to happen way to many big egos
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:21 p.m.
                    #13
                    Pop Pop
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                    If you don't send kadri to Colorado you don't get kerfoot. They needed a 2nd center so moving kerfoot for that wouldn't happen.
                    gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
                    #14
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                    Edited Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:47 p.m.
                    Quoting: TheresAlwaysNextYear
                    Team looks better but you could make a post like this for almost every team. The description is spot on about signing Tavares not being a mistake, I can't understand why people keep saying that


                    because theyre ungrateful losers, who were probably the first ones planning the parade when he signed
                    TheresAlwaysNextYear and Remus liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:45 p.m.
                    #15
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                    team probably needs more grit to win but overall its an improvement
                    arafay liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 5:48 p.m.
                    #16
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                    Improved but not enough imo. Maybe add a guy like Lewis and I would feel better. The forwards just seem soft
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 6:07 p.m.
                    #17
                    train, train
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                    I think you need some size in addition to depth throughout the roster to go the distance in the playoffs. Add in Clifford to the 4th line and beef up the bottom pairing with a guy like Dillon. Maybe forget Koivo, trade Kerfoot, sign Jumbo for the 750k league minimum for the 3rd or 4th line and bring up a prospect to center the other bottom line to free up the cap space.

                    Other than that, boy oh boy Dougie and Manson on this Leafs team would make TOR insanely good.
                    Eli liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 6:14 p.m.
                    #18
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                    Id say yes. Its a very good team
                    Eli and gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 6:14 p.m.
                    #19
                    Who adds what?
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                    Quoting: Howisbergevinstillhere
                    Defence is much improved but offensive depth is scary bad and still no size. Not sure how far they go.


                    Lol. I said Tampa were too small to take out the Bruins or the Caps this year. smile

                    I was wrong about the importance of weight and I'm always trying to learn.



                    re: description

                    I think adding Hamilton, today, would be much, much more valuable than adding Kerfoot and Barrie. At the time, it was a little bit clear that Hamilton might be better defensively than Barrie, but I don't think most of us knew just how consistently, and Kerfoot still has some potential. Another good option when Kadri had a couple of 30 goal years would have been keeping Kadri. Zaitsev underperformed expectations, offensively, but he's solid defenseively, and his cap hit already looks normal. No real need to change up the defense when the forwards are getting thirty goals apiece.

                    As the random fan who kept trying to trade Carlson for Tavares before Tavares left Long Island, I definitely think the Leafs made the right move in signing JT. That was back when the Caps had Niskanen and Shattenkirk, I think, on their 2nd and 3rd pairs. Today it would be a tougher sell to the Caps, but the value is still pretty close, on the ice. Throw in UFA rights to Barrie for rights to sign Gudas, though, and Washington gets over its fears of losing its only offensively skilled RHD, while Toronto gets back a Zaitsev-like reliable presence on the right side of the blue line. Tavares probably doesn't okay it, but with Nylander or Marner at 2C, the Leafs still can put together two great scoring lines, and they get their Norris candidate. Washington gets to move Kuznetsov to the wing where he won't lose as many faceoffs.

                    And to think someone made a comment celebrating a thread without any superstar trades. Where's the fun in that?
                    gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 6:21 p.m.
                    #20
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                    Quoting: Eli
                    Lol. I said Tampa were too small to take out the Bruins or the Caps this year. smile

                    I was wrong about the importance of weight and I'm always trying to learn.
                    Actually tampa got much bigger at the deadline. Goodrow, Coleman and maroon.


                    re: description

                    I think adding Hamilton, today, would be much, much more valuable than adding Kerfoot and Barrie. At the time, it was a little bit clear that Hamilton might be better defensively than Barrie, but I don't think most of us knew just how consistently, and Kerfoot still has some potential. Another good option when Kadri had a couple of 30 goal years would have been keeping Kadri. Zaitsev underperformed expectations, offensively, but he's solid defenseively, and his cap hit already looks normal. No real need to change up the defense when the forwards are getting thirty goals apiece.

                    As the random fan who kept trying to trade Carlson for Tavares before Tavares left Long Island, I definitely think the Leafs made the right move in signing JT. That was back when the Caps had Niskanen and Shattenkirk, I think, on their 2nd and 3rd pairs. Today it would be a tougher sell to the Caps, but the value is still pretty close, on the ice. Throw in UFA rights to Barrie for rights to sign Gudas, though, and Washington gets over its fears of losing its only offensively skilled RHD, while Toronto gets back a Zaitsev-like reliable presence on the right side of the blue line. Tavares probably doesn't okay it, but with Nylander or Marner at 2C, the Leafs still can put together two great scoring lines, and they get their Norris candidate. Washington gets to move Kuznetsov to the wing where he won't lose as many faceoffs.

                    And to think someone made a comment celebrating a thread without any superstar trades. Where's the fun in that?
                    Eli and gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 6:28 p.m.
                    #21
                    Who adds what?
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                    Quoting: vr1995
                    because theyre ungrateful losers, who were probably the first ones planning the parade when he signed


                    Long term planning is always a gamble, in any field. You can never guarantee a win. You can only improve the odds.

                    I still remember my disblief when I heard the Caps traded for Jagr. smile

                    Couldn't believe it. Was sure my friends were pranking me. Obviously the contract extension sounded like a great idea to me because I (correctly) guessed that he would have several more great years in the NHL.
                    gretzkyghosts liked this.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 7:02 p.m.
                    #22
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                    This team would be pretty darn good if it ended up with this roster but so many would have could haves haha. Just a thought, would trading Reiley be worth a conversation to you for the same reasons as you stated they should trade Kadri in his prime.
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 7:19 p.m.
                    #23
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                    Team is better, dunno if it beats Tampa though. Not sure how you can go back in time and give everybody less money while dumping Zaitsev for free and Marleau for cheap a year before they actually got dealt as well
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 7:27 p.m.
                    #24
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                    It'd be decent for sure. I think the offense definitely looks a little bare on the left side unless Robertson has a 60 point rookie campaign, but its a solid group all around, could make some noise
                    Sep. 21, 2020 at 10:25 p.m.
                    #25
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                    The trades are a bit off, but i think that team can make a deep run. they'll get bruised up front though. maybe go for an anderson from cbj type player? or a jake virtanen? thanks for the tag!
                     
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