I can see Stamkos in a leafs jersey but I think in his contract it will say "Only if I play Centre" haha. He is not a fan of playing the wing. Maybe swap him and Nylander?

I agree, Ultimately I see Stamkos as the #1C when Marner is ready to be #1RW. I hope that Stamkos would be willing to play wing (if asked) to aid Nylander's development as center. I read an article a way's back by a Tampa Blogger who actually did show that Stamkos was more effective on the wing because even though he is a great playmaker, he is an exponentially greater finisher.

Yeah his style of play and shot suits winger for sure. I've heard him hint he wasn't a big fan and wants to play his natural position. Maybe after that gigantic offer he will suck it up and play wing haha.

Look for S.J to take that hostile offer he will need a lots more and its would cost TO there next 4 1st round pick. Even then columbus will just match.

Think Duke is right, TO would have to do 7+ mil offer imo. Good vision tho, I'm a big Sobotka fan.

Next compensation range is a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for offers between 5.5million and 7.3million. Leafs are at no risk of losing 4 first rounders as they couldn't afford to offer him 9 million anyways. Columbus already has 69 million in salary committed to next year. Unless they trade Hartnell, or permanently injure Clarkson, I don't think they can match any offer over 5 million. That being said, the leafs could afford 7million.

I know you are paying players on projections on what they are going to do in the future. But what has Jones really done to deserve all this love and money. He was a profile draft pick, because of unique size, speed, where he was born, where he grew up playing hockey, his racial background and who his father is. If he had been the Jones from Big Lake Manitoba he would known as the kid that was drafted a few years ago.
Leafs should look after there own players, instead of overpaying for UFAs or even worse RFAs.
With big RFA or UFA signings you will short changing players in the future when their RFAs becoming available. Justin Pogge?

Since when is being a "good Canadian boy" from the prairies a disadvantage to being an African-American from Texas?

Also, you can't build a team entirely from within. Sure, you need to have home grown players as your foundation, but show me one team that has been successful without signing UFAs. Go back and look at the Blackhawks in Toews and Kane's first couple of years, or the Kings early in Doughty's career. The key is to be responsible with your cap space, and continue to draft and develop players. The reality though is most of your prospects aren't going to make it.

On another note, trading Kadri for Sobotka would be insanity. He's a decent KHL player.

Palhal - pogge has been playing great in europe the past two years and is looking to come back to the nhl, why not make him an offer?

Jarrett - I think sobotka could do the same job as kadri at half the price without the antics. Yes he could walk after a year but that is why I included the pick. I am not sure if Kadri is part of the leafs long term plan.

Jarrett: I did say "overpaying for UFA's and even worse RFAs. I know the Leafs have the potential to sign free agents if not this year in the next year or two if their cap situation remains good. Maybe even some real difference makers.
Regarding Jones, I'm just wondering, "Is he that good?" I bet most people can't name the players drafted ahead of him in the draft. Is part of his aura the reasons I gave, or is he that good?
Is he worthy of the 5.45m offer sheet suggested (and the picks that would be as compensation) or would the money be better spent elsewhere?

That's fair.

I think you can ask the same question about Morgan Rielly, who will likely get somewhere around $5mil/season if they sign him long term. Has Rielly proven that he's worth that money based on his play right now? I would say probably not, his defensive game still has a long way to go. But both Rielly and Jones have such a high ceiling, and a low enough floor that I think it's worth some risk to try and lock them down through their mid-20s. And right now the $5.45 offer sheet would be worth a 1st and a 3rd in compensation which I think is more than fair value for Jones. Would we accept a 1st and a 3rd for Rielly? Probably not.

Jarrett, you're bang on about Rielly and I admit I don't know enough about Jones to make a determination. My thinking on Rielly is that they he will be signed to a 6 year (taking him past UFA) for 5.7m. Yes it's overpayment on his current abilities and his projections for the next couple of years. More about cost certainty. Next summer there are at least 6 good to very good NHL Dmen as UFAs. Depending on how the Leafs "current cast" pans out next summer, maybe the summer of 2017 is the time to make a move on defence.

That's a good point Hal and one I hadn't considered. Next summer could be a gold mine for UFA defensemen, and waiting a year definitely has the benefit of giving some time to evaluate what they have beyond Rielly and Gardiner. There is still some risk that the higher end 2017 UFAs are gone by July 1st and the Leafs current blueline isn't what we would hope.

The Strome + 1st for Matthews + late 1st trade I posted yesterday was mainly an attempt to get both a future #1 centre and a high-end defense prospect(with the 8th overall pick). The long-term defense situation has me a little nervous, but I guess this is why they're preaching patience. And who knows, maybe this Zaitsev kid will blow us away next year.