I mean, this teams probably worse. I just don’t see why the leafs can’t do what’s necessary and change the roster construction.

I’ll bite, what in your opinion is a fair Marner trade the helps the Leafs change the culture/core. I’m guessing he is who you are talking about trading.

Ya. And the leafs are in a tough spot. Look, they’re not going to win a marner trade. I just don’t see any way that happens. But i also don’t think they’re going to be able to build a roster with both him and Matthews and JT that will have a solid shot at the cup. It’s kind of a lose lose, but if its between losing a trade and losing out on the prime Matthews window, i lose the trade.

Well that’s the rub then cause I don’t see any chance Dubas makes a move simply for cap space(ie losing a trade)

Well, enjoy the same old same old for the next three years. Better hope Matthews sticks around.

I'd go even further and say this team gets worse from here on in if they don't move an expensive piece. Potentially losing Hyman, Reilly, Anderson, etc, and not having a competitive bottom six whatsoever... If the cap doesn't go up during Matthew's time in TOR, and rhey refuse to adapt, by the end of it we will have 3 great forwards surrounded by plugs and broken, aging defensemen. At the same time, I firmly believe Dubas will get fired before making a bold move.

With those players listed and add in Kerfoot possibly to Seattle the Leafs could have close to 20 mil this offseason. More than enough to add a top LW, 3C, a Dman to play with Sandin, and a backup goalie.

You ride it out with this core for 3 more years, no chance Matthews is resigning. You trade Marner now, Leafs will be left with only JT.

Not really. We have 12.8mil in cap if we lose Kerfoot, and need to fill at least 6 positions, 2 being top 6 wing, 1 being 3C, and a 1B goalie. Then next year Reilly is gone. Also, this still leaves them with an abysmal bottom 6 outside of Spezza. It will be a struggle to remain as competitive as they have been, let alone improve at all.

I agree though that Matthews is leaving. I've felt that way since I saw the term of his contract. I think he wants to play at home, which is fine. But I'm in the camp that thinks maybe moving Matthews is the better trade to make. Hot take, I know, and Dubas doesn't have the stones, but I just don't think this team will manage to be competitive under the flat cap, and then we lose Matthews for nothing.