Toronto Maple Leafs

[Cdot588]

Toronto is going to have an easier time then most people think paying their three upcoming RFA's. Nylander is due for his contract soon and so far he's not on track to build on his 60pt performance last year. I think the leafs will try their hardest to lock him up long term because right now is the cheapest he'll come (expect 6-7mil). Marner is having the same problem but has an extra year on his contract before it's time to pay up, so maybe the same contract as Nylander unless he really breaks out next year. Matthews is going to get paaaaaiiiid no questions asked he will get Mcdavid money, maybe higher maybe lower (my guess is lower). Matthews is in a tie for 3rd most goals in past 2 years so he is worth every penny of what he'll make. All this is to say that Nylander and Marner will not make Draisatl money because neither surpassed 70pts (almost 80 for Drai). Also have to remember that many contracts are expiring with much cheaper, still talented, options waiting to replace them in minors.

[2014olympicgold]

Didn't happen with the dumb offside rule

It was kind of a knock at this

[Mr. Guru]

Glad they changed that rule.

[lucafen4]

See Edmonton Oilers:

They sign McDavid and Draisaitl to huge contracts... then realize they cannot keep Eberle and trade him.

I think what eyemissgilmour means is that the most the window will ever be open is when Matthews is on his Entry Level Contract.... and that it will be harder to surround him with talent when he is getting paid 11 million a year in comparison to what he is getting paid now...

to go worst to - Cup contending window in one season is overly optimistic. We have a ton of money coming off the books this year with arguably the best cap expert in the NHL crunching numbers as we go. I think you'll see Tor push to sign Nylander for more years at a lower hit (see Klingberg, Kadri, Patches etc) and unless Marner explodes in 18/19 - he will sign a similar deal. I also don't see Matthews signing for 12mil. The cap will rise twice before his new contract kicks in. That will offset 50% of what he will likely make. Edm has also dished out some large questionable contracts. Lucic, could have been better allocated to lower cost players with similar value. RNH, should never have been given 6m/yr.

Let's not compare one of the most incompetent management groups to one of the most competent ones. The only similarity between the Oilers and Leafs is they both play hockey. Apples to Oranges (they both grow on trees)

[Mr. Guru]

Toronto is going to have an easier time then most people think paying their three upcoming RFA's. Nylander is due for his contract soon and so far he's not on track to build on his 60pt performance last year. I think the leafs will try their hardest to lock him up long term because right now is the cheapest he'll come (expect 6-7mil). Marner is having the same problem but has an extra year on his contract before it's time to pay up, so maybe the same contract as Nylander unless he really breaks out next year. Matthews is going to get paaaaaiiiid no questions asked he will get Mcdavid money, maybe higher maybe lower (my guess is lower). Matthews is in a tie for 3rd most goals in past 2 years so he is worth every penny of what he'll make. All this is to say that Nylander and Marner will not make Draisatl money because neither surpassed 70pts (almost 80 for Drai). Also have to remember that many contracts are expiring with much cheaper, still talented, options waiting to replace them in minors.

I also like the fact that we will sign Nylander before Matthews as opposed to Matthews before Nylander/Marner.

Edmonton did it backwards when they signed McDavid first. Draisaitl had a lot to work with after the McDavid deal.

[Jouko-Pouko]

That's a long-winded way of saying the window usually closes quickly in the cap era.
Some very, very tough decisions are lurking, and 1 or 2 bad managerial mistakes is all it might take to derail the dreams we were all having last season.

Another window usually opens in a couple of years, though, when the cap goes up and those young star players hit their prime and their contracts start to become somewhat bargains at that point. But yes, when young players receive a long-term contract right after their ELC, they're usually not worth it for the first couple of years at least and it's very difficult to build a winning team around that.

[lucafen4]

Another window usually opens in a couple of years, though, when the cap goes up and those young star players hit their prime and their contracts start to become somewhat bargains at that point. But yes, when young players receive a long-term contract right after their ELC, they're usually not worth it for the first couple of years at least and it's very difficult to build a winning team around that.

this is one reason the leafs signed Marleau to a 3yr deal. So that his 6mil would only overlap the 1st year of Matthews 2nd contract. Can't believe we're still paying Gleason.

[2014olympicgold]

this is one reason the leafs signed Marleau to a 3yr deal. So that his 6mil would only overlap the 1st year of Matthews 2nd contract. Can't believe we're still paying Gleason.

The reason they signed him to a 3yr was the Sharks only offered him a 2yr, and they really wanted him so they had to out do them. If the Leafs had it their way it would likely only be a 2yr.

[Cdot588]

Big W last night! Was super scared of Mack in the net but wow was he good. Also super impressed by the way Kapanen kills penalties. The guy is way too good for the AHL

[2014olympicgold]

Big W last night! Was super scared of Mack in the net but wow was he good. Also super impressed by the way Kapanen kills penalties. The guy is way too good for the AHL

1. Mac is good. He's shown no reason why they wouldn't turn to him more. Babs is stuck in his "only on B2Bs" way

2. Kap has been killing penalties since he started in the AHL. He should be good if he takes it seriously and he clearly does. Whenever he's up in the NHL he kills penalties too. It must have been told to him he's making it to the NHL if he kills penalties.

[2014olympicgold]

Matthews and Eichel's goal celly yesterday

[Cdot588]

Was freaking hilarious. Love how Matthews is starting to come out of his shell. I know Lou might not love it, but I love athletes with personality, ala Brent Burns or Pk Subban.

[2014olympicgold]

Leafs Lines:
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
JvR-Bozak-Brown
Komarov-Moore-Kapanen

Leivo/Martin Healthy Scratch

Gardiner-Hainsey
Dermott-Zaitsev
Borgman-Carrick

Polak Healthy Scratch

Now when Rielly gets in, hopefully they keep Dermott in the lineup.
Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaits
Dermott-Carrick/Borgman Is what I wanna see. Zaitsev/Gardiner seemed to do well together.

[havanablast21]

Now this is a line up that has me lick'n my chops!

[havanablast21]

Anyone hear/seen an fire to the rumours that Andreas Johnsson may be called up?