I don't think signing Nylander to almost $7 mil is a good idea. Rather save that cap and trade Nylander for help on the backend.

According to reports from Elliotte Friedman, the cap next year could range from anywhere between $81.4m and $85.4m, depending on the NHLPA inflator. I don't think it is impossible, however, it will be extremely difficult for guys like Kyle Dubas and Julien BriseBois to keep all their players under the cap.

2 words for ya. Brendon Pridham. If you don't know him your comment makes sense.

If they could get a good defenceman for him that would make some sense but it isn't going to happen. The best defenceman available are all round Brett Pesce skill level which isn't nearly as good as Nylander. Hall for Larsson really hasn't taught people anything it seems.

Dude is a wizard, but no matter how good you are at something, some things just don't work. Keeping the big 4 honestly isn't close to as hard as people make it out to be, but we will lose good players (Gardiner this year) because of the cap.

Pridham is an essential piece that Toronto has in the front office; look out for more guys like him to be promoted around the league.

Nylander isn’t nearly as good as hall. Pesce is way better than larsson.

The hardest thing to do in hockey is find star players, when you do, you keep them. TO has them so get them signed.

I also think 10 million for Marner is way too high. He's a star and an elite player for sure but he's a winger and his impact on the game is less than a centre. So I'm not thinking he'll be getting over 9 million.

Sure I won't argue that. But Nylander is still way better than Pesce. Pesce is just a defensive defenceman, those aren't worth nearly as much as a high scoring winger.

In the regular season, you’re probably right. Want a cup though?

Pesce isn't the missing piece that wins the Leafs the cup.

What's the panic? If good players deserve raises.....so be it. And if means that Gardiner departs....so what, that's what happens to UFAs. If a good player has to traded because of the cap, that's OK, at least you get some good cheap young assets back in return.
Jets and Tampa have the same problem. Ducks and Kings have cap issues with old declining players. I'll take the Leafs (and Tampas and Jets) cap issues all day long.

Remember a few years ago under the (mis) guidance of Burke and Nonis, the Leafs had little cap room because of horrendous, non value signings. This Leafs current cap problem at least is easily solvable.

In either circumstance that Nylander signs or sits out the season, he will likely be the one out the door at the draft.

Just trade marleau and leafs are set to be cup contender for 6 years!