If Marleau retires, cap hit remains. Yes, you can trade the cap hit, but it will cost you. And since you are not showing any trade which moves his contract, you are currently almost 6 million over the cap.

Arizona or another low cap team would take it for a midround pick. Not a big deal

I'd say the bigger problem is I think Gardiner gets more money. For the last 5ishbyears the market for UFA top pairing potential non #1d, non superstar in their prime (ie #2-3 Dmen) is 5.5-6 million for 6-7 years and it's likely gone up with cap inflation. Think Goligoski, Sekera, Niskanen, etc.

I think Gardiner gets about 6*7, not the 5*5 above.

I love how Leafs fan suddenly love Gardiner, because without him in the lineup, the Leafs have played worse. Jake Gardiner is not a good defensive player, and at this point in his career, that will not change. You don't give a guy $5 million for only offense, when he is one of 6, and suppose to be a top-4 in fact, defender whose main job it is to keep the puck out of our net. There's just too many sloppy defensive plays, miscues, turnovers, you name it. And besides, He is not accepting $5 million when the open market is bound to offer him a chance at more.

Exactly haha, he's a huge piece to the team but lets not forget game 7 in boston last year... You could find a better defensive d man for cheaper and just replace his offensive talent with Sandin/Liljegren anyways so