On second thought, we likely move Marleau back to SJS to do a victory lap with the sharks to finish his career. Then you take Marleau's 6.25M + placeholder 3.75M = 10M exactly to offer Tavares. That could work, but you're not leaving yourself much space to resign that 3rd D pair in the future (or other forwards on expiring deals). You'd be banking on cap increases - but we could see the trend cool off and the cap start to stabilize.

marleau has a nmc and ntc. he can just sign a 1 day contract to retire with the sharks if need be

No. Just no. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the Sharks use the cap space from not signing Marleau and hen not signing Thornton to sign Tavares themselves.

Ya I think SJS will be legit contenders for Tavares this off season.

juice and goat correctly stated it difficult to rid the contract of marleau. he's a 6.25m cap hit to some team even he does retire. no indication that he wants to retire. he stays a leaf.

Yeah, I tend to agree. That's why I didn't edit the lineup when I thought of that afterwards. Just wrote that comment because I think people think it is a foregone conclusion that Marleau will be moved at the end of his contract. Even though the contract is structured to be fairly moveable in the last season, I can only see him waiving his NMC for SJ who might not want him back anyways. Something to keep in mind nevertheless.

no it's only some nutty leaf fans would think it's foregone conclusion because they want to make a roster with cap space. no thought of marleau, his nmc or the rulings of plus 35 signings. i'll disagree with you that san jose wants him back. he would have signed with san jose if they had wanted him on a three year deal. his 6.25m cap doesn't go down even though his salary does in year three. now if he retires, yea he's an easy trade.