Quoting: Silverbug
And then next year after we resign Anderson and Hyman you have about 2-3M left to sign 6 players to fill out the lineup. And we havent even resigned Soup or Lehtonen yet. This does not work.
That was literally what I was trying to point out...I am just not as succinct as you.
This summer, next summer, the following one, etc is going to be a large turnover of players like last summer was.
With the 'Big 4' and 2 anchor Dmen with a competent Goalie tandem there is only room for 4 extra $3-$4 MIL contracts. If Dubas continues to keep those 4 contracts as forwards (Kerfoot, Johnsson, Kapanen and to a certain extent Hyman) then the rest of the forwards and 3-4 dmen will have to be ELCs or near league minimum. There is no other options.
We will lose Soup, Lehtonen, Barabanov, etc every time when it comes to re-signing. We don't even have much room to re-sign Sandin, Liljegren and Robertson if they play anywhere near their potential.
Dubas has gone on record saying he realizes he will need to fill out those positions each year with league minimum signings due to the commitment he has made to the Big 4.
As a long time Leaf fan it is disappointing how this team salary structure has been created by Dubas. I looked at Calgary, Boston, Tampa Bay, etc and thought our players would be signed to MUCH lower contracts but instead we are like Buffalo, San Jose, etc. Sorry Shanny, no home town or team first discounts here. It is everyone for them self.