arky
Rejoint: août 2016
Messages: 6,735
Mentions "j'aime": 4,351
There are some things that you have to understand about the Datstuk contract and trade. He wanted to play in Russia and had 1 year left on his contract, Wings were fine with him doing so and when the chance to trade him to a team that needed cap dollars, he was traded. Arizona kept him on the 23 man roster and used his cap to reach and pass the cap floor. Because he was loaned out to the KHL, Arizona used his cap hit and never paid a dime to him. So 7 million of cap and no money going out. Win Win
Now the Marleau thing is different but with some similarities. If Datsyuk had retired his final year cap hit would have gone back to the Wings due to cap recapture and he being over 35 when he signed or when the contract started. But because he did not retire and was kept on the active roster just not playing he was considered and active player. Marleau if he retires before next year, the Leafs will incur the cap hit whether he is a Leaf or on another roster.
Retirement is bad for a team when there is two things, one the contract was signed or takes effect after the player has turned 35 or older and there is front loaded. Such is the case with Marleau and that is the issue. If you sit him the press box you have his cap hit, if you force a trade and he retires, Leafs get hit with the cap hit . Marleau holds all the cards. He controls what, when and where he plays next year. If you force a trade or sit him and he is upset he could retire and really gum up the works in Toronto.
I doubt he accepts a trade to another team, that has cap space as they are probably not contenders. Toronto with his contract is in a very rough spot and how Dubas handles it will be very good to see.