Can't pay Zaitsev more than the max ELC. Any incentive based bonuses will go against 2017/18 cap.

Why is Vesey on the team? Very slim he will be joining TML so better to plan without him. Laine playing off wing on 1st line??? Need to work on the lines big time! Not even sure Willy will be playing C next year TBH.

Great Base! I agree with"leafs1967again"the lineup needs some tweaking:no Vessy,Stamkos surrounde by wingers with more playmaking ability(not two rookies.perhaps Nylander
and another left winger.

Leafs1967: When paying bonuses the team can pay the cap bonus in the year they were earned, or if cap space is not available, delay to the following year.

Like the others said, Vesey is likely not going to be with the leafs.

Also, the lines are messed.

Probably something like this would be more reasonable.

JVR - Stamkos - Marner
Komarov - Kadri - Sosh
Laine - Nylander - Michalek *can flip flop Laine and Michalek
Greening - Laich - Brown/Hyman

I think instead of trading JVR, probably just grab Demers off the FA if possible and work on getting defensive prospects in the draft.

Thanks for the feedback. Just some background on the rational with the line-up
Zaitsev was above the ELC more just to keep his potential salary / bonuses in mind so they didn't overrun the cap.
Vesey may not come but this was just potential. I would argue that Brown's stat line in the AHL would make him a playmaking winger (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=130232).
As for Patrik playing on his off wing from the highlight packs from Liiga that seems to be his normal position.
Sosh with Nylander given that's who they've had him line up with in the AHL playoffs (part of the time).

I like the look of those lines a lot. The thought of Marner feeding JVR and Stamkos is scary. And Kadri isn't much of a playmaker so putting him with Komarov and Soshnikov makes sense.

And so long as the price and term for Demers isn't crazy I agree with signing him instead of trading JVR.

God i hope the Leafs don't get this lucky.

Oh they will...MuhuHahahaAHaHA

Ya Vatanen is amazing but idk if hes what we need...All of our D our young offensively minded, and again don't get me wrong Vatanen would make this team better, but i think adding a more experienced Anchor on the blueline is what this team needs right now

Not crazy about Vat for JVR when good options available from UFA and we have to address the net! Otherwise, I like it.