If the Leafs lose him for nothing, it won't actually be nothing.

They'll be trading him for cap space in order to maintain flexibility going forward with some big contracts on the horizon. Not ideal by any means but such is being a GM.
- TheMussel

I get the cap space thing. It will be useful down the line.

Still think at this point, you sign him... if only to eventually trade him when you do need the space.

It's not like this guy will be worthless in 2-3 years.

I think it would be a mistake to let him walk. I get that you don't want to sign some crazy 8 year deal, but replacing him will be a bigger issue. If they instead sign a top d man for the money they saved, then fine. But if they go and sign the next Kris Russel then all hope is lost...
- mgriffen

If teams went batpoop crazy trying to sign a 31 year old Andrew Ladd for 6 years, pretty sure there will be a very good trade market to trade a 31 year old JVR with 4-5 years remaining on his contract.

He's playing like poop for 6.25 million though. 23 goals (5 empty netters) and 40 points. He's been in decline every single (frank)ing year the past four years. Or is he going to score 30 goals and 60 points next year because of hopes and dreams?



So Marleau has been great at 38/39/40 but JVR will be poop from 29-35. Great theory.
- Unholy_Goalie

Why do fans poo-poo empty netters?

It shows that the coach trusts you to be on the ice, holding a slim lead, and that you got the job done and iced the win.

Plenty of teams would like to add a guy like that....

Not that old too.

At this point Leafs pretty much gotta sign him no? Can't lose a guy like that for nothing.
- Scabeh

That's a decision I'm glad I am not making. I can see both sides of the argument and my guess all signs point to him testing free agency. It's probably his last long term deal in the league and I doubt he takes 5 to 5.5/year for 2 - 3 years for a chance to win with the Leafs when 7 x 7 is out there. I wouldn't blame him for chasing money either! He only has a limited window of time to make money in the NHL.

If we replace Leo with, say, Johnsson or Leivo, chances are that they will be equally productive offense-wise, and won't provide any of the truculence that Komarov brings to the table.

Komarov isn't Gretzky, but replacing him with one of the less experienced forwards that we have in the system at this point is a downgrade.
- TheMussel

But...are either as good defensively?
Leivo no.
Johnsson....looked ok so far....need to see more.

That's a decision I'm glad I am not making. I can see both sides of the argument and my guess all signs point to him testing free agency. It's probably his last long term deal in the league and I doubt he takes 5 to 5.5/year for 2 - 3 years for a chance to win with the Leafs when 7 x 7 is out there. I wouldn't blame him for chasing money either! He only has a limited window of time to make money in the NHL.
- Aaron_85

Can't wait for the Habs to trade Pacioretty and sign JVR.

It has become more and more obvious to me in the last few weeks.

This is JVR's team.
- Scabeh

You mean the past two games?

But...are either as good defensively?
Leivo no.
Johnsson....looked ok so far....need to see more.
- Fakepartofme

Totally agree, I was just rebutting a point that was made that the Leafs wouldn't miss a beat without Komarov because he brings little to the table offensively.

I get the cap space thing. It will be useful down the line.

Still think at this point, you sign him... if only to eventually trade him when you do need the space.

It's not like this guy will be worthless in 2-3 years.
- Scabeh

Problem is in 2 - 3 years they won't have the cap space and they'd need to get rid of him anyway and fill a hole with some young guy. Might as well do it now and build the chemistry with that guy.

Can't wait for the Habs to trade Pacioretty and sign JVR.
- Scabeh

Hey you finally got a player over 6 foot! Too bad he doesn't use his size

With a made up injury? He's got one of the longest active iron man streaks in the NHL but if he sucks he'll just get hurt because it's convenient?

But that's not even the point. The point is, they decided to spend 6.25 million on a guy at the end of his career instead of keeping that money available to help retain a good player in his prime. If it's between JVR during his prime or Marleau at the end of his rope, the choice is easy; it's JVR. And if JVR walks, it'll be because Marleau was eating up the cap space we needed to keep him.

Do I want JVR signed for 7 or 8 years? No, but I'd like to know what teams out there are going to be throwing insane contracts (7+ AAV x 6+ years) at him because there aren't that many that I can see.
- Unholy_Goalie

It only takes one.

And there will be at least 5.

Are you new to UFA frenzy?

If the Leafs lose him for nothing, it won't actually be nothing.

They'll be trading him for cap space in order to maintain flexibility going forward with some big contracts on the horizon. Not ideal by any means but such is being a GM.
- TheMussel

People always forget that part. A UFA walking doesn't mean you get nothing. You get cap space back at least and cap space is an asset.

Still I hope Lou makes JVR a discount offer he can't refuse.

Maaaaybe.

But could the leafs line up at the beginning of next season not be as good as the line is right now? Due to cap concerns. Maybe.

Here's a thought......Hope the leafs skip out on trying to get JT and go for Seguin.
He's one year younger and faster.
JT's skating could be a concern in a 4 years.....maybe.

That's if either makes it to FA.
- Fakepartofme

If JT is available you have to try, the likeliness of Seguin being available is low, so get the elite C if you can IMO.

If teams went batpoop crazy trying to sign a 31 year old Andrew Ladd for 6 years, pretty sure there will be a very good trade market to trade a 31 year old JVR with 4-5 years remaining on his contract.
- Scabeh

I dont think any teams went crazy for Ladd, just Snow.

Does anyone think JVR might take 6 X $5mm or $5.5mm to stay?

If they ditch The Bokek and Komogod can they afford to keep JVR?
- .HOHO.

He signed a stupid deal with the Flyers which kept his salary artificially low.

No way in hell he makes the same mistake twice.

IMHO, he goes for maximum money X maximum term.

And I can't say I blame the guy - that's what I would do.

People always forget that part. A UFA walking doesn't mean you get nothing. You get cap space back at least and cap space is an asset.

Still I hope Lou makes JVR a discount offer he can't refuse.
- Zezel

Cap space IS an asset.

But you need to be able to use it.

Look at the Habs, we've had 10M cap space all year.

We had no one to spend it on.

We'll have around 12-13M this summer.... which we'll all throw at Tavares face only to see him reject us.

We might still have that space next year. "yay".

Why do fans poo-poo empty netters?

It shows that the coach trusts you to be on the ice, holding a slim lead, and that you got the job done and iced the win.
- Atomic Wedgie

Remember last season when they blew so many points because they didn't get empty netters? I remember when they started nailing down wins in the stretch run last season I never valued empty netters so much. They clinched the playoffs with an empty netter. Woulda come in handy in Boston Game 7.

Problem is in 2 - 3 years they won't have the cap space and they'd need to get rid of him anyway and fill a hole with some young guy. Might as well do it now and build the chemistry with that guy.
- Aaron_85

In 2 years marleau will be off the books.
Same with Gardiner - unless resigned
Same with Martin
and one more year after that...Kessel will be off the books

So they'll have some money...yes I know the big three will be getting paid by then

It's all about how high your Caresi stats are. Sure worked for Clarkson.

As you can see from the below charts, Nylander also has a very high Caresi rating, so he should be paid accordingly with a massive, bloated contract.


- Thecakeisalie

I always suspected it, but wow, looking at the chart above, it's unbelievable how many attempted poke checks in the neutral zone Nylander makes in the 2nd period of away games.

I think it helps in the playoffs, especially if they're playing Boston.
- mgriffen

nah

Look at JVR this way....

If you were the Leafs would you spend a 1st round (25 to 31st overall pick) to go get a 30 to 35 goal scorer at the TDL to make a push in the playoffs? Especially if you knew he wanted to play for you and might resign with you?

I would

So instead of giving up a 1st rounder, the Leafs simply gave up, getting one.

If he stays, it's gravy!

If JT is available you have to try, the likeliness of Seguin being available is low, so get the elite C if you can IMO.
- Archaic

Seguin is an elite center.
Matthews, Seguin and Kadri.

Cap space IS an asset.

But you need to be able to use it.

Look at the Habs, we've had 10M cap space all year.

We had no one to spend it on.

We'll have around 12-13M this summer.... which we'll all throw at Tavares face only to see him reject us.

We might still have that space next year. "yay".
- Scabeh

That's because Bergevin is a stinky Richardlicker.

He signed a stupid deal with the Flyers which kept his salary artificially low.

No way in hell he makes the same mistake twice.

IMHO, he goes for maximum money X maximum term.

And I can't say I blame the guy - that's what I would do.
- Atomic Wedgie

You sir, are probably right!

If teams went batpoop crazy trying to sign a 31 year old Andrew Ladd for 6 years, pretty sure there will be a very good trade market to trade a 31 year old JVR with 4-5 years remaining on his contract.
- Scabeh

I trust that Lou & Co. have a plan in place already.. I doubt they are going to 'wing it' come July 1.
The most overlooked fact about this team, is that they do not have one player in the top 40 of NHL scoring(Marner is 41st, behind Rakell, because Rakell has more goals).. It's always been a full team effort, not one single player, like Edmonton...So, someone may not replace his 30+ goals, but Brown and Kapanen could each get 20 if slotted with better players.

If their plan is too keep JVR as part of the core going forward, then keep him. If not, move on.. It's obvious to me that Marleau is not a core piece going forward.

Despite of what UG thinks, I don't for a second believe that Lou & Co. screwed themselves by signing Marleau.. They signed him to help develop their young players, which has worked as both Marner and Matthews love him