If the Leafs don't sign Tavares you can add either Bozak or Komarov to stay.

Yeah, who needs a nearly 50 goal scorer?

Your premise isn't correct. For Tavares 11m....who the Leafs gave up nothing in trade. That's let's say a 7m Nylander and 4m Kapanen. that have to be traded for cap space (if we use the 11m figure.
So Nylander and Kapanen are traded for Tavares and lets say a first and two seconders acquired in the the Nylander/Kapanen deals. Leafs take that deal all day long.

The fact that you need something doesn't really matter if you can't afford it... They went over their means by doing it, and now they're having these issues.

Let's just say that if Tavares weren't available in the first place, would you be moving these assets. No. You'd be building around them instead. And saving money in the process.

With Marleau and Zaitsev gone there is more than enough cap space to keep their players

Don't believe the media hype. Patty and Z are only suggesting a trade out of town because of how the Toronto media and fans are bullies.

????? What???? Leafs had money to sign Tavares last year but it it this year especially due to inflated contracts to Matthews and Nylander, plus the unexpected good play and more $$$ to Kapanen, Johnsson and Marner. Sure they are over the cap but it certainly doesn't mean that shouldn't have Tavares. Over the cap, you just trade assets.
By your logic, Tampa shouldn't have signed resigned Kucherov because Tampa is going to over the cap when they resign Point. Or Tampa is not going to offer Point a contract because they will over the cap in the summer with his signing. Obviously Tampa is keeping Point and Kucherov but they will have to trade Miller or Gourde, in a trade without taking any money back.

They have problems because they are good. I like being good

I wouldn't compare signing Tavares and signing Kucherov because of they were in different situations. Kuch was re-signed, Tavares was signed as an UFA.

But this whole post is just stupid...

This is an argument that can't be won.. it has a foundation built on sand. And alot of effort shouldn't be spent trying to change his mind, imo

Yep over the cap is bad. It is terrible being the situation the Leafs, Jets and Tampa. are in. Being under the cap is so much better. Just ask Sabres and Sens fans.

Yeah moving assets that no one wants is that easy.

Sand can be strong too if you pour water on it first.

It's better to do that rather than lose out on a superstar and have a weak offense

Not really. You'd still need some other important ingredients for that recipe to work... otherwise it still all falls apart and collapses on itself once the sand dries out..