Quoting: aadoyle
Here's what people dont understand its not that they havent learned its this
You either have to pay Willy or lose him for nothing
If you trade Willy you will at least get some assets but wont get equal value back
No matter how you spin it, its not great.
Should Willy be getting 11m no. But at the same time cant afford to lose him for nothing and any trade we do for him will not be great unless someone really and I mean really overpays
Further to this point......
Let's say that Treliving doesn't sign Nylander and he walks, freeing up that $11.5 million.....
Now I am a huge proponent of "the sum is greater than the parts" argument; but looking at the UFA pool thos offseason, I am hard pressed to find 2 players to fill out the Leafs top six at that price point that would at least equal what Nylander has done. Moreover,if it can be done, you are signing 29-30 year (albeit good ones) to inflated long term deals that simply will not age well).
Although I am not a fan of half of the cap going to 4 players, I am not sure the alternative makes the Leafs a better team..... which goes against everything I believe in when constructing a roster.
Really, at the end of the day, this one isn't a matter of choice. It is a matter of necessity...... and Willie made it that way.