Do you really want that $2 million on the books next year when Matthew's extension kicks in tho? That's really my only concern

To start the next offseason, you will have over 40 million in cap space with the cap going up to 87.5 million.

Let's say Matthews signs for 13 million per, making him the highest paid player in the league.

That leaves the Leafs with 27 million in cap space.

I wouldn't worry about it.

That last line sums up why Toronto has not done anything in the last 6 years despite having some great talent to build around. Not worrying about having cap space to fill in the rest of the roster. Also, no one, not even the most ardent Toronto fan, thinks Samsonov is going to sign for anything close to 2 million. And that blue line as it stands is going to get pushed around all day in its own end.

Good luck with 13

If the Leafs need more money for Samsonov as well as upgrades to the blueline, then that would mean a buyout for Murray becomes an urgent priority.

Am I wrong?

Treliving entered the Leafs at a very difficult and interesting point in time. IMO, you're right. You don't want that on the books next year, BUT the alternative is pretty rough too. If it was an easy trade that TOR and the other team would have accepted...it would have been done already. Other teams are asking for a haul right now...and getting it.

Josh Bailey cost $2.3M over 2 years and cost a 2nd round pick to dump him. Any acquiring team will owe $4M if MM is bought out. $6M if not.

Please leafs buy him out lol

I think being able to buyout Murray makes it harder for teams to bend them over the barrel. Meaning, we can send Murray somewhere for either nothing, or a small sweetener. But demand a 1st or something silly like that? Nah we'll buy him out and I bet some team is going to say here's a pick send us Murray and some prospect. Then Murray will be moved. It's not half as dire as troll nation wants it to be.

Murray is owed 8 million in salary next season minus the retention and he has a 10 team no-trade list.

Nobody's touching Murray's contract with a 10 foot pole.

The Leafs really have two choices.

Buy him out or keep him for a whole season.

It's pretty cut and dry.

This is dripping with your hopes and dreams man.

This is dripping with reality.

It's what you hope is reality but if they buy him out oh well