Tough to say.

Lets just see where we're at come the preseason.. I'm sure nonis isn't done yet.
- Dozzer

For sure. But with all the offensive minded guys, and Gardner looking better all the time, why wouldn't they buy out Liles? Maybe he thought he had a trade partner, and then they are letting him deal with it now.

Nope - two buyouts total.

We don't get any more.

Sorry
- Atomic Wedgie

Sure? Capgeek buyout FAQ says nothing about the number of non-compliance buyouts.

I think if we're lucky Gunnarson takes 3M, maybe for more term; Franson came off really good year and he'll want a raise, probably closer to 4M, but hopefully on a long-term deal that takes him a few years into UFA.

Kadri's going to be around 3M probably for 2-3 years.

Matt Duchene's same age, but has way more games and is only making 3.25M.
- gravyface

Thats good. Kadri put up heavy points this year though...

I think if we're lucky Gunnarson takes 3M, maybe for more term; Franson came off really good year and he'll want a raise, probably closer to 4M, but hopefully on a long-term deal that takes him a few years into UFA.

Kadri's going to be around 3M probably for 2-3 years.

Matt Duchene's same age, but has way more games and is only making 3.25M.
- gravyface

Nonis is going to be a hard ass on all these guys.

None have any leverage.

Especially Gunnarson.

Nonis is going to be a hard ass on all these guys.

None have any leverage.

Especially Gunnarson.
- Atomic Wedgie

Bernier sure had him over a barrel...

Nonis is going to be a hard ass on all these guys.

None have any leverage.

Especially Gunnarson.
- Atomic Wedgie

Wonder why he will be hardass with current guys, and yet dishes money to the new goalie. Strange...

For sure. But with all the offensive minded guys, and Gardner looking better all the time, why wouldn't they buy out Liles? Maybe he thought he had a trade partner, and then they are letting him deal with it now.
- aminnes

Lots of offseason yet... Who the hell knows really?

Wonder why he will be hardass with current guys, and yet dishes money to the new goalie. Strange...
- aminnes

2.9 mill a year isn't exactly a huge contract

Nonis is going to be a hard ass on all these guys.

None have any leverage.

Especially Gunnarson.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yup, franson and Kadri will likely take shorter cheaper deals to prove the half season of success wasn't a fluke.

That's my guess anyways

2.9 mill a year isn't exactly a huge contract
- Dozzer

Looking at the alternative, that was already fine, that 1.9 mill would be nice right now. Not that the contract is huge, just wasn't necessary.

2.9 mill a year isn't exactly a huge contract
- Dozzer

yeah
having less than 5 million invested in net isn't something to complain about

Looking at the alternative, that was already fine, that 1.9 mill would be nice right now. Not that the contract is huge, just wasn't necessary.
- aminnes

Maybe it was... I'm sure nonis doesn't want a top pedigree goaltender going to arbitration. That likely wouldn't of ended well.

yeah
having less than 5 million invested in net isn't something to complain about
- Sammich

Yup, exactly.. Bernier's contract is not burdensome at all

Looking at the alternative, that was already fine, that 1.9 mill would be nice right now. Not that the contract is huge, just wasn't necessary.
- aminnes

Plus that 0.5 in retained cap room.

I think the baseline for all our RFAs is 2.9 million. No way anyone will take less having proven as much or more.

Maybe it was... I'm sure nonis doesn't want a top pedigree goaltender going to arbitration. That likely wouldn't of ended well.
- Dozzer

Considering he's played what 50 games? Yikes. Again, not looking at the fact that 5 mil is cheap for tending, just looking at the individual. Plus, out west, not a whole lot of people feel he's proven yet, and we've seen him play.

Plus that 0.5 in retained cap room.

I think the baseline for all our RFAs is 2.9 million. No way anyone will take less having proven as much or more.
- Leeman4Gilmour

"Subban contract" is all Nonis will have to say and no arbitrator in their right mind should give Franson more...

"Subban contract" is all Nonis will have to say and no arbitrator in their right mind should give Franson more...
- lumlums

May not work, Subban got his contract before this season, based on the previous. IF he goes to arbitration now he gets way more.

"Subban contract" is all Nonis will have to say and no arbitrator in their right mind should give Franson more...
- lumlums

Arbitration could go either way.

The reason we got Clarke MacArthur years ago was because he was awarded a huge deal in arbitration and the team let him walk.

May not work, Subban got his contract before this season, based on the previous. IF he goes to arbitration now he gets way more.
- aminnes

True, but Subban also put up 24:18 per game of top line, all purpose minutes and got 38 points... not bad.

Franson played 18:47 of lower line, easy assignment minutes. Sure he did well, and scored on pace for 50 points in a full season... but still, it's clear who had the harder time prior to the new contract

May not work, Subban got his contract before this season, based on the previous. IF he goes to arbitration now he gets way more.
- aminnes

He definitely won't get the mid to high 4's he would have gotten on the open market, but there's no way he gets less than 3, either.

I'd say we're looking at 2 year bridge deals in the mid 3's for both Kadri and Franson.

2.9 is roughly where Gunnarsson will be. When you add in a couple million more to fill out the 21 man roster... Well, I hope Nonis has a buyer for Liles.

Personally, as a GM, I would not be so quick to be throwing weight around after such an improved season. I know there's a lot of optimism right now but lets see another scenario.

Keep Frattin and Scrivens.
Buy out Liles and Grabo.

This would have meant more cap space to A)get guys signed at least theoretically without arbitration, which looks good considering this team is growing together. B)Keeping guys that are young and growing with the team together, and being able to out bid the defensemen that went elsewhere with that being the most important need. Clarkson and Bozak signings would still be good, and after this year more space would open up. Don't know if some of these moves have helped or hindered. I really hope more moves are made, but typically the next 2 months is the dark period. The odd time in September there are deals but even those are few and far between and usually happen when a team has to meet the floor prior to the season starting.


The other problem now, is if Bernier doesn't out-play Reimer, it will look foolish. Another thing, keeping Bozak was a big deal as it relates to the friendship with Kessel, however this logic was not used in keeping Reimer happy with his buddy. Interesting anyway. I'm not saying they won't be better or all is lost or anything like that, but certainly things are far more complicated than they probly needed to be.

Knowing teams never really trade core players, I would always offer sheet the best players available if I needed a player.

Mike Augello: Leafs Better Up Front, But Defense Concerns Remain
- mikeinbuffalo

Dear Dave,
Please go and get Doug Murray even if it means trading Phaneuf. Lupus should be captain anyway.
Yours, Skalapy

True, but Subban also put up 24:18 per game of top line, all purpose minutes and got 38 points... not bad.

Franson played 18:47 of lower line, easy assignment minutes. Sure he did well, and scored on pace for 50 points in a full season... but still, it's clear who had the harder time prior to the new contract
- lumlums

Again, if Subban was arbitrated after this seasson he's getting huge money, 6 plus mil. Franson will likely get 4 plus I'de say. And it doesn't bode well to be going to arbitration with a whole bunch of guys that just played really well and made headway.

Dear Dave,
Please go and get Doug Murray even if it means trading Phaneuf. Lupus should be captain anyway.
Yours, Skalapy
- Skalapy

Why would we trade our best D-man, who plays more minutes than any other to get a 3-4 shutdown guy.

I love the idea of getting someone like Murray, but no way in hell you trade Dion to make it happen...