The way things are trending, what you proposed for your RFA signings of Marner, Matthews, Kapanen and Johnsson seem to be in the ball park of what they'll end up signing for. However, each signed contract has massive downstream implications. Regardless of what people say, the Leafs caved and gave Nylander more than he deserved (he's a 6.5 million dollar player max, which includes cap inflation when compared to Ehlers, Patrnak, etc.). But if the Leafs "cave" again and give Matthews more than 11.5 million and Marner more than 9 million then I don't know how this team addresses their number one concern = defence. Gardiner is gone as of July 1st, but all that newly gained cap space will go into Matthews' and Marner's contracts. The only way to augment the defence is to trade for one because they can't afford to sign a big name UFA. So is the casualty someone like Connor Brown and picks and prospects - we'll have to see. The current Leafs defence can't go far in the playoffs (they can't defend Tampa's offense and they'll inevitably meet in Round 2 - this year or next year), and if it's the same recipe for 2019-2020 I can't see them going far in the playoffs then either.

Very good points and I do agree. I think it would be wise to wait till the off season and maybe even after preseason to address the defence. Think we will have a better idea then what we will be looking for.

As far as getting by Tampa it’s a tall order for sure. With the very small sample size of one game against them so far I think we out performed them but vasilevskiy stole that game. When playoffs come I have no doubt that the games will be much tighter. I just think any sort of big move now will hurt us in the future.

I agree 100%, well said! Who do you think will be the first causality to fall on offence? I would pick Nylander without a doubt...but what about Dubas' "guarantee" that he won't be traded...

No way nylander gets moved, will be brown then Hyman and if more space is needed zaitsev.

Makes more sense to move Kadri. He's a 2nd line center and a team needing one would like his Team friendly contract. He has a NTC but only submits 10 teams. In his place move down Nylander who was a center in the minors and did well when Matthews was injured last year.

They'll play each other three more times, but even then I'm not sure if season record is a strong predictor when it comes to playoff round success. I think most people intuitively know that on paper Tampa's defence is much better than Toronto's. Again, on paper, the offence's offset each other and so do the goalies. So if there is a theoretical advantage then obviously it favours Tampa Bay. I don't think Toronto would get swept by Tampa in a 7 game series, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ended for Tampa in 5 or 6 games either. Going to 7 games against Boston is not a comparable IMO, as they're - for the most part - a one line team with a young d-core (except Chara). I think if Toronto is going to do anything, it'll be to get a good #3 or #4 defenceman from a team not in the playoff hunt, who is on a team-friendly contract (i.e., <4.5 million) that can push Hainsey down the line-up and reduce his minutes.

Connor brown is worth more than that

LOL, in what world?