Team: 2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 7, 2017

Published: Feb. 7, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Leafs have a situation to mirror the Hawks: another influx of talented prospects expected to start the season 19/20. That lines up with the major signings required of Matthews, Marner and Gardiner and therefore makes the core affordable for a few years while trying to win a cup!
The team philosophy of patience will continue except for two major acquisitions, both as free-agents, one in 2017, one in 2018, both necessary for their skill as well as their experience and presence on a young team. The selection of Alzner is as a result of reports that he is a shutdown type player while still adept at moving the puck to the forwards, a necessary skill for the Leafs playing style.
The signing of Tavares is a preference of having Tavares and Nylander versus JVR and Nylander at a cost extra of 3M and gaining 1 1/2 years age. This will leave Nylander at a wing position and the physically stronger Tavares down the middle
This exercise can only show the 18/19 season but this assumes the following RFA signings in 2019: Matthews: 9.0M, 8 Years, Marner: 6.0M, 8 Years, Gardiner 5.5M, 6 Years, approximately 20M less their current rate of 5.87M or approx. 15M. This will come from Horton's LTIR of 5.3M and trades of Kadri and Martin if required, I do like these players but think the core is more important
The result of all this is a core of 11 players, 6 Fwds, 4 Dmen, 1 Goalie, the remaining 11 players will come from inexpensive prospects that earn their time on the ice. I have shown 18 players for the 11 positions required, this will sort itself out by talent and production, the savings of the 7 players including Kadri and Martin along with the LTIR should pay for the 2019 signings. I know, it will be close but that is Lamoriello's job!