Leafs are much better to buying out Murray at 670,000 next season and 2.6 the next rather giving up a 1st/3rd and Niemela for 3m Laughton. Leafs are better to play/develop Holmberg and SAD at a total of 2m, Niemela is expected to a full time NHLer by 24/25.

Agree with some, I just cant see the leafs losing the cap space as long as they're looking at Matthews, Nylander and then Marner all hitting UFA. 600k isn;t much in 23-24, but 2.6mil in 24-25 is. The failed TV deals have kind of hinted that the cap might not shoot up and Laughton/Sandstrom are better in the next 2-3 yrs than Murray/Niemala. Im torn on Holmberg, SAD, and Steeves and could easily see them NOT re-signing Kampf if they acquire the better 2-way Laughton, with one of the younger guys getting 4th line C.

Not re-signing Kampf and playing Holmberg or SDA on 4th line, allows a more reasonable Zucker offer (I've gone too cheap at 2.9, but 3.6 is more realistic) and allows for a better 4th line LW option than Heinen - maybe Evan Rodrigues/Pulijarvi/Kapanen is a better but slightly more 200-400k option.

I've been saying for years that Matthews isn't resigning with the Leafs. But let's imagine the cap goes up from 82.5m to 86,5m in 24/25 a 4m increase. If Matthews gets 14m and Nylander 9m, that's an increase of 4.4m for just those two guys. It doesn't make the Leafs better and they will other players expect pay increases also.
Leafs ownership have interesting decision this summer. If the Leafs "fail" in the playoffs does Dubas keep his job? And the other big decision is TDL February 2024, are the Leafs sellers of upcoming UFAs for Matthews, Nylander and Brodie? Reload for with futures which Dubas has traded away at TDL...with no results , and go into summer of 2024 UFA market with lots of cap.

If Mathews doesn't resign this summer they have to start listening to trade offers for him. I'd personally start by talking to who ever lands the first overall pick, if it's Arizona and a sign and trade could be worked out, that would be the dream for the Leafs

IMO the best Leaf scenario is a TDL deal. Matthews's 11.6m won't be an onerous, and if Matthews wants an eight year deal he would be more willing to trade (his has a M NTC). Yeah, the Arizona would be ideal for the Leafs and maybe even Arizona but it's my feeling Matthews doesn't want to sign with Arizona. He's looking at a big hockey/USA market with a good team. LA fits that mode

Philadelphia has some intriguing young guys, potentially the cap space, need and desire. RW in Philly is Koneckny, Atkinson, Tippett, Bobby Brink, Wade Allison, LW is Farabee, Cates, Foerster, Gautheir, Desnoyers, Deslauriers, two likely top 10 1sts in 2024 (FLA and PHI), and a solid defense under the age of 28 (Sanheim, Provorov, DeAngelo, Ristolinen, York, Attard, Andrae, etc...), so maybe one from each of those groups and the 1sts kind of basis? (say Tippett, Farabee, York and two 1sts as a start).

Agree with both, the team has tried to roll with the big four and this is the last chance at that structure, they cant get to the next TDL without moving one of nylander/matthews, because you know they'll be 1st/2nd/3rd in their division and under pressure AGAIN to win the cup, you cant really trade matthews at TDL and just say "dont worry this is for the better future".
And I think the idea of Nylander taking 9mil and Matthews 14mil is really low, nylander is easily a 10mil at least guy in this market and matthews 15+. While I would keep matthews and marner, trade nylander and let tavares expire, this team has emptied the tank and has so few prospects and few picks to make the same moves theyve made this year,m and lessens the ability of highend ELC youngsters filling in the gaps.

You're right about the high end ELCs, they are needed by virtually good team to counteract the high cap for the stars. So much on the Leafs trading their "stars" will depend on whether Leafs management wants to "go for it" next season or reload. Leafs don't have on regular Leaf in the lineup that was drafted by Dubas.
I can't see a "poor" team especially trading for Matthews, unless it is a sign and trade. And then we get into the situation if Matthews wants to go to poor team, although as you suggest some poor teams have the cap and potential.
Nylander....he has been outstanding this season. I just wonder if team will want to commit to him as 28 year old UFA to seven or eight years.
But moving any of the top players at next TDL kinda means the Leafs won't be winning next season. To me, it's keep everybody for a run, and take your chances signing them in the summer of 2024
But heck, even if not signed.....Matthews/Nylander/Brodie would give Leafs lots of cap in summer of 2024.
I say sell, I can wait another few more seasons for Leaf Cup . But geez not too long, I',m 68 years old.