When will this unrealistic bs stop? I hope everyday that he signs an extension with NYI so it can. He is not signing a one year deal because it is too risky. He will get max term.

I hear what you are saying, which is why I said in my explanation that he'd sign the 1 year and immediately sign an 8 year extension which he can do legally. The CBA allows teams to work on extensions once they are in the final year of their deal, and since this is a 1 year deal he can effectively sign the two contracts back to back. So the Leafs in their negotiations could say, lets do a 1 year max value and then sign an 8 year deal worth x amount of dollars. This would give him the security of a long term deal and the Leafs the flexibility of stretching the money out over a longer term. He's likely to get around 10-11 on a 7 year deal, possibly a little less on an 8 year deal from the Islanders. My idea would give him equal or higher dollars but over an additional year or two. On top of that, he'll be able to play on a team that looks poised to become one of the best in the League for years to come. Its a win win on both sides.

I generally say no way to Tavares because he's leaving his prime and is looking for big money that will pay for the money left on the table in his 20's. That just isn't good economics, however, my idea does mitigate much of the risk.

You make a good point LoganOllivier. This type of deal I could see happening... and should be taken advantage of more often since both the player and organization get exactly what they want (max dollars upfront and term). Bottom line is that at a certain point elite players tend to want to go to a team that is trending upwards as opposed to just status quo. If I was JT, I could care less that Lou or potentially Trotz was a part of the NYI organization with the hope that things turn around. As for the Nylander trade, I think that you could still keep him and nix the Tanev idea.

2 Things

1) Lou and Trotz are extremely successful hockey people, however the Islanders have a lot of holes that need to be addressed before they are contenders. The Leafs have really 1 or two small holes that should be addressed.

2) Nylander is on my team still, I traded Rosen and a 2nd for Tanev. Nylander is signed for 8 years at just over 7 million.