Joined: Aug. 2017
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 866
Agree, not much wiggle room at all.
With 3 superstar contracts @ $11M+, it makes it very hard to juggle the supporting cast.
I think Foligno's next contract will be around $2M - $2.5M, and I think he would re-sign back in Columbus.
The best route for the Leafs, IMO, would be to divest 1 of the larger F contracts, and strengthen the D corp as well as their goaltending.
Many Leaf's posts have Marner being shipped out (many to CBJ for Jones).
As a CBJ fan, I would rather have Nylander, not Marner, for obvious reasons.
A Jones for Nylander trade with any additional compensation such as Korpisalo (who could step right in at a lower contract than Anderson) and/or draft pick (not the #1 5 O/A though).
The Leafs could then look to trade Anderson and Marner for other fill-in F assets and picks.
I don't think the Leafs are one player away, but they do need a bit more fire and intensity and competitive spirit.
Even one intangible type guy the Leafs have been missing, that brings intensity and leadership to the table would help them immensely.