This is not what a Bruins fan wanted to see at 11:03 PM

San Jose supposedly offered Tavares 13 Million (just looked it up and it was 13, and I think this Isles might have offered 12.5 mill) dollars by 7 years

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/john-tavares-sharks-face-off-no-regrets-free-agency-unfolded/

"They were even willing to go as high as $91-million to sign No. 91, which is $2-million more per season on a seven-year deal than he ended up getting from the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Isles offer:
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/sharks/report-sharks-are-john-tavares-top-choice-if-he-leaves-islanders
"Should Tavares decide to officially become a free agent, “[it's] believed” his top choices, in order, are San Jose and his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic. Tavares will inform the Islanders whether or not he intends to re-sign, on an eight-year deal worth up to $100 million, on Friday."

One reason, maybe the main reason the Leafs can't get over the hump, is they continue to trade picks and prospects for short term TDL gain. Teams need their young and cheap ELCs to make the cap work. Leafs don't have one player on their roster that was on ELC.
Massive overpay for ROR and ACCI. Both third line wingers on the Blues. ACCI and his 9 points in 50 playoff games is going to help? (that much)
I really don't know why MLS executives and owners have let Dubas (and all their recent GMs) have so much control.
The only good thing that may come out of it, is maybe the price has been upped when Matthews and Nylander are traded at 2024 TDL. Then the Leafs and their new GM can get some of young assets back for a reboot.

The thing that's most wild to me is that the Blues aren't even out of the playoff picture yet. We will see how they rebound. They seemed to pick it up after Tarasenko was traded.

My opinion is Knies is going to be a college graduate UFA, and sign as UFA with the Kings....where Matthews will be playing in 2024 when he's a UFA. Knies and Matthews are friends

Did you just call O'Reilly a winger?

Also the last cup wingers all made rental trades.

Colorado for Manson (second and a good but not great prospect)
Tampa Savard for a first plus

Tampa has been trading every pick/prospect under sun the last while and kept it going.

I too am not a big fan of rentals, but the Leafs lack of success has simply been failure. It isn't for some specific reason like this

No the more likely scenario is at TDL 2024 when Matthews and Nylander cap hits won't be nearly as harsh to new teams they are traded too. The new GM will try to recoup some futures that Dubas has foolishly traded away.....for years.

I meant to write 3rd line wingers. Thanks for reading

stamkos didn't have the passion™

Only leaf fans can rejoice about acquiring ROR and in the same sentence talk about trading Matthews and Nylander.

Lol

I am super sad to see O'Reilly go as he became a fan favorite and ended our curse. But hockey is a business and I know that, and I LOVE that the Blues know their fate and are playing this deadline smartly. This is a great return they win this deal.

Why would St-Louis help a division rival (Minnesota) and Toronto probably offered the best trading package

At least the Leafs held firmly onto their 5th, 6th and 7th Rd picks.

I predict Datsyuk in the 5th Rd, Zetterberg in the 6th Rd and T. Holmstrom in the 7th Rd quality.

Good trade, 2023 first is tough but we'll see how it goes

Welcome to capfriendly. I hope you came prepared.

Just showing people who say well Toronto cant afford a ROR extension

This was a scenario where Leafs signed Meier to 8.5mill while keeping their big 4

The league minimum is $775,000 for next season. So I guess you want him to play in the minors the whole year.

That team is over the cap with a 20 man roster and a 4th line that would get eaten alive.

U factor in Muzzin on LTIR which doesnt really factor in to the capspace. Puckepedia is best for cap. So if Muzzin was on LTIR Leafs coult exceed and be fine but could only hold a 20 man team

But in general ROR wouldnt be making 8.5mill anyways 5-6mill would be the amount which is doable

Well to your point, if we extended it back. The leafs haven't used a 1st rd pick since 2020 so kinda adds fuel to the fire. But at the end of the day, it's funny which ever team just disregards their future to win now and still get thrashed in the postseason. I know most team in win now mode do that but there are degrees in which some turn wreckless. This could be one if they can't right the ship and they lose Matthews.

Predictions are impossible but Matthews is competitive. My guess is he's more likely to stay if the team shows it's trying to win than being more cautious.

I have dislikes many of our deadline moves (Foligno the most, but also Plekanec) but this one I think is a reasonable gamble. Maybe it's because I see him as resignable.

O'Reilly was not a winger on st Louis. He has been out almost a month and he's still second on the team in faceoffs won this year.

I actually agree with everything you are saying, but as a rival wings fan, I only wish the opposite of everything you said