JT won’t commend 5M, more like Staals 2.9M but I bet he takes even less than that.

I bet Bert takes 4.5 on a 5 year deal... And JT takes less which allows you to upgrade DeMelo and upgrade Jarny to Domi and move Willy off of C

Even better 💪. Despite the hate he’s getting from some recently, he’s still producing chances at an elite level and his production is solid

Maybe - I like Domi but he’s not a solution at 2C imo (elite playmaking, but an almost complete lack of defensive acumen) . If JT slots in at 3C as I suspect and given young talent coming if not next year, definitely the year - I don’t see a fit for Domi

It's a lot better than people want to give him credit for...

He also allows Matthews/Marner/Willy to focus on their game as he and Rielly take the media heat

Domi would be a 1 year 2C option until Minten/Quillan comes in 25-26

Potentially:
Bert-Matthews-Domi
Knies-Minten-Marner/Willy
Cowan-JT-Willy/Marner
Quillan-Kampf-McMann
Robertson Reaves

If one of Minten or Quillan could take on 2C role, we’re laughing but that’s a big ask. To me, 2C and RHD are biggest issues Tre has to solve but Leafs are overall in a good position. Matthews, Marner, Nylander (& JT) take the heat for playoff failures and rightfully so but flip side - when you have them on your team, you’re automatically competitive. And in 25-26, they’ll finally have cap flexibility

The plan I've showcased would be a big ask from Minten/Quillan... But of the flip side, you're playing with Matthew Knies and one of Mitch Marner or William Nylander... It's not a Herculean task IMO for Minten or Quillan to be effective

Worst case scenario, you just flip L3 and L2... We know JT can handle it and you still have 3 elite lines...

Especially if we trade down the 24 1st for more assets, we are chilling...

You and I disagree on the definition of "flush" and "young talent". Leafs are, unfourtunately, seriously lacking in this. Too few draft picks last 3 years.

I really like DeMelo too, I signed him for my roster as well. Just the kind of D Reilly needs with him.

Fair point, but unlike Habs - we have elite offensive superstars so our young talent just needs to play support roles in top 9. Cowan is coming off incredible year in junior and was just nominated for OHL MVP and is better than any forward prospect in Habs system; as far as D prospects - you have us beat easily.
I’d still rather be in Leafs position - some teams don’t have one elite game breaker (hardest thing to find with top 4 RHD and stud goalie close seconds) , Leafs have 3. Cap has been a challenge but by 25-26, options open up considerably

Mitch, you and I agree on many things, but to say the Leafs have "young talent everywhere" seems too optismistic. They have poor "NHL" prospect group.
Quillan a Leaf? Odds are against it. Chadwick in 25/26,,,,that's hopeful. No Holmberg...kinda needed as fifth NHL centre. Minten should be playing centre...either as Leaf or Marlie. Keep Nylander where he is best at RW. McCabe no thanks at 5m

Can’t agree on everything but that’s ok. My roster here has 7 kids on elc’s or cost controlled contracts; that’s ~33% of roster which equates to everywhere in my book. I don’t think I’m being overly optimistic; most of these kids are locks (as much as you can say that in a league with no guarantees) to play in the nhl. We do disagree on Leafs prospect pool - of course it’s not as strong as perpetual bottom feeders that collect and select high picks every year. But we have elite talent (maybe 2-3 teams in league at similar level to us) so our prospects only need to be able to contribute in top 9 role and Cowan, Minten absolutely can + I’m including Knies and Robertson. Quillan, Tverberg, Hirvonen, the Russian kid in the KHL + others have outside chance too. Our goalie prospects look good & Woll looks like the real deal 🤞. We have a few (not great admittedly) prospects on D so I agree we need help there but cap will open up - especially in 25-26. McCabe at $5M in two years when cap is over $90M is 👍 in my books

Mitch always glad to read your honest opinions. Leafs prospects....you're right the two Russians and Hildeby could be NHL goalies. Defence, IMO only Niemela and Chadwick have a chance to NHL regulars, maybe Webber if he signs. Forwards, just Cowan and Minten., Grebenkin. Unfortuately Dubas traded away future good draft picks, for one playoff round win.

A lot of Leaf fans on here with questionable takes so I always appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I don’t really blame Dubas for rolling the dice and trading away picks; worth the gamble just unfortunate it hasn’t worked out yet. Leafs prospect pool has a number of potential nhl caliber players but we are short on potential star players for sure (other than Cowan). But given makeup of our team - significant cap allotted to superstar talent - we just need nhl capable contributors on elc’s. Some work to do on defense for sure - hopefully we can find and develop some later round gems or sign what we need in FA.
And let’s not forget tragic passing of Amirov; he was the highest pick Leafs had made since Matthews