if Matthews is on the Market they'd get way way way way more for him than that, and the leafs arnt downgrading from Nylander to scheifle

LA can't afford Matthews unless one of Kopitar or Doughty are heading the other direction.

We'll pass on that leadership. Vlasic's already giving us plenty of leadership, and at the LD spot too.

You are right they would have to do something in order to fill out their roster but with J. Quick & his 5.8M plus some other smaller contracts coming off the books, & their 3.14 in cap space right now, plus a 1M in cap increase, they technically could fit AM34. But your point stands they need other moves to actually make this work and field a legit team

Leafs decline, not even close

As indicated above, no team that would trade for one year of Matthews can't afford his contract.
But your premise is wrong, about the first wrong exit, Matthew will decide where he wants to plays for the next seven years in 2024. ( I think it's LA). Doesn't really matter what the Leafs do this playoffs.
TDL February 2024, when Matthew's contract is easy to trade with retention, maybe the Leafs do trade Matthews/Nylander and Brodie.
Muzzin if he healthy stays a Leafs....he isn't waiving to a non playoff team. If on LTIR, he stays a Leaf, and doesn't affect the cap.
Kinda of a nonsensical thought that Nylander lacks grit. He stickhandles, carries the puck, and tries to make plays with possession in the offensive zone when defensive are trying to get the puck from him. I guess he shows no grit because he doesn't dump the puck in the corner and then needs to check the opponents to get the puck back.

Scheif grew up hating Toronto. He won't waive to play for them.

Are you going to be disappointed when he resigns for 8 years this summer?

The Jets aren't going to downgrade from Scheifele to Nylander for a year. They'd just keep the cheaper, much better player that is more likely to resign.

Yeah, the Kings would probably need to add Fiala/Kaliyev/Kempe and a couple more 1st round picks.
And ofc, Nylander plays center way better than Scheifele.

Not worth it. They can just wait to see if he’ll sign in free agency

I know this isn’t directed at me but I’ll answer. No I won’t be disappointed.

Do you mean he's gonna be traded by the Leafs and he signs a 8 year contract with his new team?
Of course I won't be disappointed, but I will be incorrect my assessment of the Matthews and the Leafs situation. Incorrect ? That would be first in 68 years.

Where is he leading from? the LTIR. Muzzin is done as a player

You need to think more optimistically my friend

Fans....short for FANatics never fail to surprise me. When "their team", signs a UFA, the fans are so enthusiastic....so happy that that player chose their team, their city. But when a UFA player decides to leave for another team, they are so disappointed and feel that player is a traitor.

I really don't worry about about UFA leaving any team. It's just part of the collective agreement. Players come and go all the time. My thoughts on Matthews and Nylander is summer of 2024. Let's imagine the Leafs have set aside 24m to sign those two players, but the players decide to sign elsewhere. So be it. I just hope as a Leaf fan, that the GM can spend that allotted 24m wisely on other players.

I really don't think it's matter of being optimistic or pessimistic above Matthews resigning with the Leafs. It's just the practical reality that it's Matthews choice and the Leafs management team on how they intend the cap money they have.

Sorry mate, my answer was meant as a sarcastic reply to Jaredoflondons fascinating constant overvaluing of the Leafs players.
I totally agree he's not worth it.