That's a very confusing title. Larsson and Gourde would only have one full season each as UFAs. Gourde just isn't that special.
Jarnkrok is one a team friendly contract as is Liljegren. Minten will needed at centre in 25/26. Plus the first.
Not sure how it really helps he Leafs this season. Jarnkrok and Gourde about the same. With Larsson at 4m the Leafs have absolutely no depth.

Gourde is a center and better player than Jarnkrok. He also has a ring. The fact you think they're about the same tells me you haven't watched Gourde play a single shift.

Larsson at 4 million is a bargain considering Tanev is asking for 5-6 million on his next deal.

Leafs get two above average players on great contracts for two playoff runs. And they can decide to keep them next year because JT's money will come off the books. So they are long term pieces.

I don't see JT being 2nd line center with his lack of foot speed. Domi has livened up that line and they have really played better without JT. Why is Nylander on the topline and Marner on the 2nd? 4th line is fine the rest of them are out of whack.

JT plays better with Marner. Leafs need to get JT going. And JT isn't a shutdown center so him on the third line makes no sense. He has to be on the second line.

Let's not talk nonsense about a ring. There are many Hall of Famers who never won a Cup. Gourde doesn't seem to be as impressive this year. Gee, even 3m Domi has been good recently at centre.
Tanev is asking 5 to 6 m next contract? Maybe. but how do you know? What a player wants, doesn't at all mean what be offered. Gee why would any team offer so much for Tanev anyway?
IMO, Walker and Seely might be better options for the Leafs for UFA signings.

First of all, where in the world did you see Tanev asking for 5-6 million on his next contract? Secondly, the Larsson trade makes ZERO sense when you get rid of our best RHD in the process. Not only is Lilly currently better than Larsson, but he's also 6 years younger !! Absolute insanity.

You also say that we need a defensive-minded 3C. Fraser Minten will be that (and possibly more) for the next 3 years on an ELC.

Jarnkrok, although not as good as Gourde, is still a big loss.

This team is just marginally better (if at all), while objectively being much worse over the next 3 years.

Jarnkrok-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-JT-Marner
Bert-Domi-McMann
Holmberg-Kampf-Reaves
JT needs speed on the wing to carry his lack of. Bert and Domi shouldn't be separated they have picked up their game since being put on the same line.

With JT coming off the books and the possibility of some big name d-men available as UFA's that year the leafs should be waiting till than to make the real cup contender team. imo

Yea that works. But with the way Keefe coaches I think he will revert to playing the Domi line 10-12 minutes again. And that's not a recipe for success. That's why getting a 3C who is a shutdown guy is so important. Maybe a line of Domi - 3C - Bertuzzi can be a line if they get another center.

I actually think they may be in better spot even season. They might have 8m to spot fill two Dman spots. You're right about 25/26 with Tavares gone. Heck even Marner's cap might be gone too.
One reason I think so many of the TDL deals are poor for the buyers, it does nothing to change the teams fortunes that seasons. Don't you think the Leafs would be in a better position if they hadn't made so many trades at TDL, and giving away top picks? I just think it's better to have cheap and good ELC players on the team, instead of constantly chasing aging UFA to fill the roster.