And….. what’s the difference next year?

You absolutely have a point, and I agree. To piggyback on that, they need to see what they can get for expiring UFA’s like Bertuzzi, Domi, and maybe even Brodie and McMann? If they can get some picks or any sort of value for those guys, I would do it. Go into next season with Matthews and Nylander with bigger contracts and less team cap space, see what they’ve got in some of their prospects and Marlies and see who can take a step. And then the following year, when Tavares and Marner are off the books is when you go for it. Re-sign Tavares on the cheap as a 3C or second line left wing. Let Marner walk if he won’t take a discount. Hopefully Minten and Cowan are ready, and hopefully Knies has come into full form. The remaining enormous amount of cap space can be used to bolster the lineup accordingly. But damn do they ever need to decide if they are buyers or sellers, because if they are punting, letting guys walk for nothing once again would be majorly disappointing.

A full offseason 25 or so Million for Tree to build a team and try again. Just need to accept that maybe going all in on a middle of the pack team isnt the right decision. Still a playoff team this year but maybe next year if the players prove to the league that they are an elite team thats when u spend. LA is a good example of a team that did something similar and look at them now

I think LA is an example to follow. Just allow Treliving a couple offseasons of moves and UFAs then hopefully patience pays off. Even tho patience is going to be the hardest thing for leaf fans to accept. Facts are just that and the fact is the Leaf are a good team but not a great team. The have great/good players but are not a good team.

I agree, but this seems like something for a general forum post, not an AGM post.

I do not follow the rules

Not a thing. 25-26 is the year they have to go all in. Minten and Cowan should make the team for sure. JT and Marner contracts are up. Possibly lots of UFA d-men who are top 4 players. They made a huge mistake signing Willie for that amount. They might have to let the way better player Marner walk unless they want the same top heavy team with duct tape role players with no heart like right now.