backcheck>paycheck
Joined: Oct. 2020
Posts: 416
Likes: 194
The reality is, we can argue about these contracts, and fantasize about how nice it would have been if the kids were all making under 7 mil on a 4 or 5 year deal, but it didn't happen. The silver lining is, the Leafs have no Johnsons, no Mathesons, no Komarovs and no Backes'. Despite these contracts not being ideal for the team, otherwise, Dubas and friends have managed the cap very well thus far.
Personally, I see the current Leafs team a lot like the Duchene-era Avs... loads of talent, but still kind of a bubble team that just can't get over the hump. I expect them to take a step back for a year or two after this year to retool and give some ice time to prospects to fill out the bottom 6, and then compete for a cup a few seasons from now when the kids are all in their prime and the cap has(hopefully) gone up a little bit. The big 3 are still very young. Imagine how good they'll be in 3 years.