Quoting: Messier99
Time to ask the question?
Let's assume that Leafs lose in the first round (not a huge stretch).
Leafs try negotiating an extension for Matthews and Nylander:
- Matthews tells Leafs he want 8 x $14M.
- Nylander wants 8x$10M
(both have not shown much goodwill towards Leafs management during negotiations in the past, so maybe not an extreme assumption).
So the question is - do you trade them in the off-season? Who/what could you expect to get?
OR
Do you go in to one more season with the same stars in the line-up and likely be expected to finish #3 in the division again, and then risk losing them for nothing.?
My guess is if you dump them then Taveras would waive the no trade and you could do a rebuilt with hopes of coming back again in 3 or 4 years.
Let's start with "What a player wants". kinda meaningless. What he will sign for is the question.
I've never worried about losing UFAs for nothing. Teams do it all the time, heck contending teams even trade for UFAs at TDL knowing they will be not be resigned.
Here's my thought....The Leafs will keep Nylander, Matthews and Brodie at least till trade TDL. Leafs management will determine if they want to go with the same group for the 2024 playoffs or as you suggest, kinda tear it down for the second half of 2024 and get good futures for those three players. ( I prefer trading them)
IMO, there isn't much a chance Matthews and Nylander stay as Leafs in 2024/25. So the Leafs new GM ( I hope) can spend the new found cap wisely.
IMO, Matthews goes to big US market....the Kings where he replaces Kopitar. I don't think the rebuild necessarily takes that long. If there is solid pipeline of young players in place, then the Leafs will spend on UFA or RFAs. Tavares and Marner due to their cap are tough deals to make except for maybe the 2025 TDL.