Edited Mar. 14, 2023 at 11:57 p.m.
Quoting: palhal
Every year there are about 100 UFAs....many of them walk. At TDL contending teams acquire upcoming UFA with no intention of resigning them (mostly because of cap). You make it should like the Leafs are unique. Now personally, I would like the Leafs to trade Matthews, Nylander and Brodie at TDL and acquire futures. But if Leafs management still think they are still true contenders next TDL, they keep their UFAs, like other contenders do.
Come summer of 2024, the Leafs might lose Matthews as a UFA. Let's say the Leafs have set aside 14m for Matthews, and Matthews still signs elsewhere (for whatever reason), well then it's Leafs management job to spend that 14m.
I find the posted trade proposal rather silly for Arizona. Trading their two best players for Matthews who can (will walk) as UFA. I've said for years, I believe Matthews will his next contract as LA King. Kopitar will be off the books....seems like a good fit, and I believe Matthews wants to play in a big hockey/UDA market.
Yes LA will have Kopitar's $10 off the books but Anze will probably sign a retirement contract. (compare B's Bergeron retirement contract, that is still $5 million eaten up)
LA has 3 young guns to sign in that off season also; Byfield, Kaliyev and Durzi.
LA also has 2 young guys named Lizotte and Grundstrum as RFA's that summer who watched T. Moore cash in a $4.2 million contract for being a depth forward.
LA will only have 2 Dmen signed, so there goes more $$$.
I just don't see Matthews in a Kings jersey.
The team I mention, Vegas, has 15 Nhlers ($63 million) under contract already for the 24-25 season.
Vegas only young gun who needs a contract for 24-25 is Howden who is hardly a star player.
LA only has 8 Nhlers ($47 million)under contract for the 24-25 season.