2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[Highlander]

Anyone else find themselves doodling line combos with Tavares on the Leafs next year?

No?

Just me?

Ok, sorry.

I've been quiet about it to avoid public humiliation, but I do think the Leafs take a healthy run at him just like they did with Stamkos and I don't think it's completely out of the question that he'll strongly consider what we have to offer.

How do the pay for him when you will be paying Marner and Willie 9 per year and Auston Powers a hefty 12

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

How do the pay for him when you will be paying Marner and Willie 9 per year and Auston Powers a hefty 12

The cap is going up by 5 million next year and there is another expansion on the horizon and a new tv deal, I don't think it's unreasonable to think the cap is close to 85 million two years from now.

Take the JVR, Bozak and Komarov money and throw it at Tavares.

I also don't think the triplets come in at much more than $25million combined and I think that's being generous to the players.

So $35 million for the triplets and Tavares still leaves you with a significant chunk to fill out the rest of the roster.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

How do the pay for him when you will be paying Marner and Willie 9 per year and Auston Powers a hefty 12

The cap is going up by 5 million next year and there is another expansion on the horizon, I don't think it's unreasonable to think the cap is close to 85 million two years from now.

Take the JVR, Bozak and Komarov money and throw it at Tavares.

Also none of those projected cap hits for the big-3 are very realistic.

 

[Coco-puffs]

How do the pay for him when you will be paying Marner and Willie 9 per year and Auston Powers a hefty 12

The cap is going up by 5 million next year and there is another expansion on the horizon, I don't think it's unreasonable to think the cap is close to 85 million two years from now.

Take the JVR, Bozak and Komarov money and throw it at Tavares.

Also none of those projected cap hits for the big-3 are very realistic.

Marner and Willy at 9, I agree, that doesn't seem likely.  Auston at 12 I can very well see happening.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Marner and Willy at 9, I agree, that doesn't seem likely.  Auston at 12 I can very well see happening.

Eichel signing for $10mil will make it pretty unlikely I think. Auston might get a little more but I think it'll be $11mil max.

McDavid got $12.5mil after establishing himself as the best hockey player on the planet. Matthews was tied for 28th in points per game in his rookie season. This season he's 28th again coincidently. I absolutely love the guy of course and think he's a ton better than those point totals indicate, but he's not getting McDavid-money.

 

[cabber24]

How do the pay for him when you will be paying Marner and Willie 9 per year and Auston Powers a hefty 12

The cap is going up by 5 million next year and there is another expansion on the horizon, I don't think it's unreasonable to think the cap is close to 85 million two years from now.

Take the JVR, Bozak and Komarov money and throw it at Tavares.

Also none of those projected cap hits for the big-3 are very realistic.

Marner and Willy at 9, I agree, that doesn't seem likely.  Auston at 12 I can very well see happening.

The Shannaplan includes players taking less for the better good of the team, this is family after all...

How about MLSE these days? Not a bad product: Arogs, Marlies, TFC, Raptors and the Leafs. We endured plenty to get here let's enjoy it!

 

[ZBBM]

Anyone else find themselves doodling line combos with Tavares on the Leafs next year?

No?

Just me?

Ok, sorry.

I've been quiet about it to avoid public humiliation, but I do think the Leafs take a healthy run at him just like they did with Stamkos and I don't think it's completely out of the question that he'll strongly consider what we have to offer.

My sources tell me you have a poster of him right above your bed.  8) 8) 8) :-X :-*

 

[CarltonTheBear]

My sources tell me you have a poster of him right above your bed.  8) 8) 8) :-X :-*

My cat talks to you too??

 

[ZBBM]

My sources tell me you have a poster of him right above your bed.  8) 8) 8) :-X :-*

My cat talks to you too??

No, your goldfish -- who just so happens to go by "Johnny."  My spies are everywhere.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

A cap hit of $75 million for this roster with the Backlund deal only being a 1 year.

Based on an 80 million cap next year and 85 the following year.

Hainsey, Backlund and Marleau coming off the roster the following year free's up $15million + $5million in cap space to give Mitch and Auston on their new deals, not to mention the further $5million cap increase. Hopefully, by this point, there are more undeniable solutions coming up from the Marlies

 

[Coco-puffs]

Marner and Willy at 9, I agree, that doesn't seem likely.  Auston at 12 I can very well see happening.

Eichel signing for $10mil will make it pretty unlikely I think. Auston might get a little more but I think it'll be $11mil max.

McDavid got $12.5mil after establishing himself as the best hockey player on the planet. Matthews was tied for 28th in points per game in his rookie season. This season he's 28th again coincidently. I absolutely love the guy of course and think he's a ton better than those point totals indicate, but he's not getting McDavid-money.

Matthews also sees significantly less ice-time than most of the guys ahead of him in points per game.  Primary points per 60 (5v5) over the last two season:  He's 3rd, slightly behind McDavid (McDavid 2.2, Matthews 2.17) and they are only behind Malkin overall (2.27).  Matthews has also been on the 2nd PP unit during that time, which has hurt his totals.  In terms of rates he's 51st in P1/60... ahead of Eichel and WAY ahead of McDavid (132nd!!!)).  If you consider secondary assists less "noise" on the PP he's still close enough to McDavid and Eichel to not discount his contract demands.

If I'm Matthews' agent, I'm suggesting Matthews is closer to McDavid than he is Eichel and his output is hurt by usage.  The Leafs are probably doing themeselves tons of favours contract wise spreading the ice-time around as much as they are which will probably lead to a deal closer to 11 million- but Matthews camp will be pushing closer to 12 for sure.  I don't think an ask of 12 million from the Matthews camp is out of line but I obviously hope its closer to the Eichel deal for sure.

 

[Coco-puffs]

A cap hit of $75 million for this roster with the Backlund deal only being a 1 year.

Based on an 80 million cap next year and 85 the following year.

Hainsey, Backlund and Marleau coming off the roster the following year free's up $15million + $5million in cap space to give Mitch and Auston on their new deals. Hopefully, by this point, there are more undeniable solutions coming up from the Marlies

Ain't no way Backlund is only signing for 1 year.  He's getting a long term contract.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I hear you Coco, but players signing for 1 year for a chance at a cup isn't unheard of.

He was just one potential solution there though, I'm sure there are other potential options in that slot.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I hear you Coco, but players signing for 1 year for a chance at a cup isn't unheard of.

He was just one potential solution there though, I'm sure there are other potential options in that slot.

Unless we have a stellar playoff campaign this year, I don't think we are a top choice for "1 yr deal for a shot at a cup" team.  Also, usually the guys who do that are guys who have already hit their huge payday earlier in their careers.  Backlund has made less than 4 million/yr over the last 3 years and was on cheap deals prior to that.  He's gunning for his one big long-term payday this offseason.

(EDITED:  Read capfriendly wrong.  He had two short cheap RFA contracts between ELC and last deal.)

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I hear you Coco, but players signing for 1 year for a chance at a cup isn't unheard of.

He was just one potential solution there though, I'm sure there are other potential options in that slot.

I mean as much as I love Backlund I'm not really sure we need him here to be our 4C. But it does show that we still have cap space to use even with Tavares here.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I hear you Coco, but players signing for 1 year for a chance at a cup isn't unheard of.

He was just one potential solution there though, I'm sure there are other potential options in that slot.

I mean as much as I love Backlund I'm not really sure we need him here to be our 4C. But it does show that we still have cap space to use even with Tavares here.

Yeah, that was the point, you can sign Tavares and still make other moves, even if it's a more budget bottom six guy and spend some more on the defense.

 

[ZBBM]

But isn't the basic question, Why spend $$$ on a forward when what we need most is a Tavares-level defenseman?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

But isn't the basic question, Why spend $$$ on a forward when what we need most is a Tavares-level defenseman?

It's entirely possible a Tavares-level defenceman never becomes available. I mean Tavares-level players of any position don't become available very often.

Besides, the Penguins have won 3 Stanley Cups now using a model of "have two of the best centres on the planet at the same time". They might be on to something.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Here's a good article that came out today on Morgan Rielly and how he's established himself as a true #1 defenceman this season:

So what is Morgan Rielly? Well, he?s a defenceman who:

Leads his team in Controlled Zone Exits
Is above league average at preventing Controlled Zone Entries
Outshoots the opposition when he?s on the ice
Is on pace for over 50 Points
Does all this while facing extremely difficult competition

There?s only one other defenceman in the NHL who meets these criteria. His name is Drew Doughty.

If Rielly can keep playing at the level he has this season, I don?t think the Leafs don?t need to go looking for a #1 defenceman ? they?ve found him.

https://mapleleafsnation.com/2018/02/14/morgan-riellys-evolution-into-a-1-defenceman/

You can go back and look at some of my posts from last season where I expressed doubt about whether Rielly could take another step forward in his play, but he's certainly proven me wrong this season. I think the team can still use a pretty big upgrade in the top-4 on the right side but I don't know if it really HAS to be a Doughty or Karlsson type player.

 

[Coco-puffs]

But isn't the basic question, Why spend $$$ on a forward when what we need most is a Tavares-level defenseman?

It's entirely possible a Tavares-level defenceman never becomes available. I mean Tavares-level players of any position don't become available very often.

Besides, the Penguins have won 3 Stanley Cups now using a model of "have two of the best centres on the planet at the same time". They might be on to something.

Can you imagine how much Kadri would feast on 3rd lines across the league? 
Hyman - Matthews - Nylander
Marleau - Tavares - Marner
Johnsson - Kadri - Kapanen
Who gives a shit - who gives a shit - Brown