Objective is to keep all important players:
- Core (Matthews, Tavares, Marner, Nylander, Rielly)
- Important Vets (Muzzin, Gardiner, Kadri)
- Important Young Players (Dermott, Kapanen, Johnsson)
- Andersen of course
In addition to the usual suspects, Leafs also move Hyman. His ACL probably hurts trade value a bit, but his inflated numbers make re-signing him in two years impossible, and we have better top-six options. (I love Hyman and Brown, but from player management perspective, doesn't make sense to keep either around.) Also, don't waste assets on moving Marleau for a year, and don't trade away major assets for a d-man whose cap hit will further squeeze out other players, simply because he happens to shoot right-handed.
Marner is given a more-than generous 2-year bridge. I'm not worried about salary inflation two years from now because the salary landscape will not have significantly changed in that time (there simply aren't even big name players due for contract in that time to change it.) If Marner digs in and wants a longer deal with a higher AAV, Kapanen is moved for draft pick(s).
Gardiner is willing to sign for 5.x as per MIrtle - I've given seven years to lower AAV, because I believe he will age gracefully. Kapanen and Johnsson I threw in matching deals as placeholders but I would prefer deals that don't expire at the same time (for now, the combined AAV is the most important thing as the main exercise is becoming cap-compliant for the coming sesaon.) There's an extra million room still left to give slightly more money to divide between these players and Marner if required.
I symbolically scratched Marleau, but he probably finds his way onto Kadri's line given the lack of experience in the bottom six. Dermott and Liljegren switch places as much as possible, so that Liljegren and Rosen each have an experienced partner, but Muzzin and Dermott play together when Leafs shorten the bench or against a team that necessitates a shutdown pairing. (Rielly and Gardiner are employed in an offensive role.) The D is definitely thin, and I would bring back Hainsey or someone similar as a 3rd pairing vet if he was willing to sign for something that fit.
The summer of 2020 is a pretty easy one for management with Marleau's contract off the books and only a couple of important players to re-sign, but they need to be cap-conscious and make sure there is room for Marner's raise the following summer.
Leafs have 4 great young defencemen in the ahl, who in 1 to 2 years three of them will be NHL ready so theres no need for another defencemen with a long and expensive contract.
Unless its a top 4 RHD under the age of 26.
GenXHockey a aimé ceci.
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