except bottom 5 guys on your RFA signing will all get more by at least 5 hundred thousand to a million each. that is an awfully young and unproven defense with very little after rielly. Liljegren could be ready and fulfill his draft spot potential, Dermott could at enough size and strength and progress to top 4 d, Zaitsev could bounce back and be worth what he is getting paid now. carrik is a solid number 6/7 d man but no way he takes that pay cut. 1 of the other 3 might be ready for the full time duty in the nhl next year. a lot of ? for a cup contending team

Where is Jake Gardiner?

I don't think the Cap will be that high, maybe 81500000. Matthews will get $11 Million, Marner $8.5 Million, and Kapanen $2.5 Million.

I hope Dubas and Pridham have a good plan. Cup or Bust this year

Maybe they can convince them to be like Bergeron, Marchand and Pasternak on Boston and offer home town discount

Yes, the Leafs might be able to keep there young four together in 2019/20, but not like this. If Carrick is Leafs you have decreased his pay in 2019/20....not happening. Ozzy is close to being a UFA due his age, if he's an NHLer he gets a big raise. Borgman could just as walk as UFA if he doesn't get a raise. Really, squeezing players just to keep your big name signings doesn't work.

OIlfan: It's 2019/20. Gardiner is good as gone as UFA (I'm not disappointed)

hardcoreharper. It's not logical to think it bust or Cup. If for cap reasons a GOOD player has to be trade that's easy to do and get value back in return. It's trying to sign high priced non value players in a trade that is difficult and really hurts a team.

I love seeing fellow fans work out their projections for the Leafs in 2019-20.
Here's a few of my thoughts:
- they can save money by avoiding possible ELC performance bonuses (eg Borgman, Rosen, Ozhiganov) in favour of straight low cost (Holl)
- option to sign Sparks less than Pickard and save some $
- I think Johnsson will cost more (think Hyman/Brown)
- I think we'll see Auston's value at 11M+, so I'd plug in $11M assuming he compromises
- realistic cap = $81.5
- I'd add the 23rd player to the roster to make the projection more bullet-proof
- I like Grund's potential too but I think AJ is a player that is better suited to a top 9 offensive role right now.
- I hate to say it, but with JT as a centre, Marner's agent is going to tell him to go have a breakout year then go for $8M+ next summer. It could be a tough negotiation.