Yeah, we'll see what Dubust does to upgrade.

Maybe we'll get some improvement from within by some of our prospects, but I'm not sure who would be ready by next year, and even if someone like Liljegren or Sandin make the team, you can't pin all your hopes on a rookie to carry your defense.
- Thecakeisalie

Probably bring Marincin back because of some fancy chart - when we lose we’ll just call it bad luck.

I disagree.

Years 4-7 @ 12MM per year is going to look pretty bad. the Isles offered him 11MM per year in NYC (Don't give me the sponsorship speal BS, He has sponsor deals in NYC) its going to take more than 11MM per year to move him.

If I am the Leafs I don't do it.

Tavares is an Elite playmaker, the knock is the speed. The older he gets the slower he will get. (See Corey Perry)

Plus if you give Tavares 12, what does Matthews want?
- ImThatGuy

Meh, Americans don’t give 2 poops about hockey. TO would give him more sponsorship money but I read JT’s not really a fan of doing all that crap involved with sponsors etc.

Nope, never heard of her before.

He is an elite talent, I am not denying that. Age catches up with everyone eventually. Will it be a drastic drop off, I have no idea, but I would be weary.

The first 3-4 years of teh deal will be great, but after that, I am not so sure.

If I am Toronto or any team for that matter, I stay away from Tavares.

Let NYI sign him.
- ImThatGuy

If a player of his caliber is available, you go for it...

If a player of his caliber is available, you go for it...
- Hockey_Reverend

You absolutely make the call.

But for me, any player that is 28 and wants 12MM per season for 7 years worries me.

Would I love the Sabres to sign him, absolutely.
Would I love the Sabres to sign him for 12MM per year, absolutely not.

I hope Buffalo stays clear of any player signed July 1. Its been proven over and over again July 1 deals are 99.9% of the time terrible for the team that signs them.

If you guys get him, congrats, it will be a B**** to play against for a few years.

The flyers should have interest in bozak. There’s a great need and they can pay him top dollar over 3 years. It’s not going to affect their cap

Tavares is only 27 years old. Even if its a full 8 year deal he will be 35 at the end.

I view this like governments racking up big debt. Go for it and let the children pay. If it brings us closer to the cup, who cares. That is still a good 4-5 years of top production and by that time the cap will have gone up so much it won't matter...

Hopefully, the Leafs are creative and offer a 1 year max deal, then sign him later to a 7 year slightly lesser deal...

Poop, I am getting excited. When was the last time we had a chance to add a free agent like him? But why do I once again get a feeling we will all be let down!?

Two top line D were just traded.
Others are available.

Its just gonna cost you.
- Fakepartofme

But traded in part for each other. People have vague not specific proposals about getting this D for Nylander. And I think underrate Nylander. No one proposes trading Marner but Nylander is as good as him imo.

Tavares is only 27 years old. Even if its a full 8 year deal he will be 35 at the end.

I view this like governments racking up big debt. Go for it and let the children pay. If it brings us closer to the cup, who cares. That is still a good 4-5 years of top production and by that time the cap will have gone up so much it won't matter...

Hopefully, the Leafs are creative and offer a 1 year max deal, then sign him later to a 7 year slightly lesser deal...

Poop, I am getting excited. When was the last time we had a chance to add a free agent like him? But why do I once again get a feeling we will all be let down!?
- Hockey_Reverend

A player would never do it. The agent the players association fight against this.

With NHL contracts being fully guaranteed, why would a guy risk losing out on a guaranteed $88MM regardless of how his career turns out V a one year pay day and a lot of unknown.

Tavares is only 27 years old. Even if its a full 8 year deal he will be 35 at the end.

I view this like governments racking up big debt. Go for it and let the children pay. If it brings us closer to the cup, who cares. That is still a good 4-5 years of top production and by that time the cap will have gone up so much it won't matter...

Hopefully, the Leafs are creative and offer a 1 year max deal, then sign him later to a 7 year slightly lesser deal...

Poop, I am getting excited. When was the last time we had a chance to add a free agent like him? But why do I once again get a feeling we will all be let down!?
- Hockey_Reverend

Having a 1/2 C of Tavares would be a matchup nightmare for teams in the playoffs. They would have a legitimate chance of contention for many years. This is a no brainer IMO, and if he at all wants to be part of the Leafs then you go for it.

Unfortunately, UG has spoken and Tavares only gave the Leafs an interview as they have cap space. #UG5 Confirmed

The one 'X' factor that the leafs have going for them in the Tavares sweeps is something I have not heard anyone mention... but correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Kadri and Tavares good buddies? Did they play together in junior? I know they played for Canada, but I think they are tight...

But traded in part for each other. People have vague not specific proposals about getting this D for Nylander. And I think underrate Nylander. No one proposes trading Marner but Nylander is as good as him imo.
- Zezel

If JT signs with the Leafs Nylander is gone for D help..

A player would never do it. The agent the players association fight against this.

With NHL contracts being fully guaranteed, why would a guy risk losing out on a guaranteed $88MM regardless of how his career turns out V a one year pay day and a lot of unknown.
- ImThatGuy

He technically did it this year when he played out his contract to get to free agency. He could’ve signed last July.
Apparently he bought some sort of insurance and could this year if he was to sign a 1 year contract. Not sure how the insurance thing works though.

If JT signs with the Leafs Nylander is gone for D help..
- Fruitcakenipple

What D?

What D?
- Zezel

Big D....

The one 'X' factor that the leafs have going for them in the Tavares sweeps is something I have not heard anyone mention... but correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Kadri and Tavares good buddies? Did they play together in junior? I know they played for Canada, but I think they are tight...
- Hockey_Reverend

Not sure if they are best buddies or anything, but they played together in London.

I have heard doughty and kadri are buddies though. They hang out in the off-season together. Both are from London.

Big D....
- Fruitcakenipple

Fake news

Big D....
- Fruitcakenipple

Big, hard young D

The one 'X' factor that the leafs have going for them in the Tavares sweeps is something I have not heard anyone mention... but correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Kadri and Tavares good buddies? Did they play together in junior? I know they played for Canada, but I think they are tight...
- Hockey_Reverend

They played with each other, I dont know that they are good buddies, but him and Matt Martin are.

A player would never do it. The agent the players association fight against this.

With NHL contracts being fully guaranteed, why would a guy risk losing out on a guaranteed $88MM regardless of how his career turns out V a one year pay day and a lot of unknown.
- ImThatGuy

Yes and no. If you sign a 1 year max deal, first, that's a poop load of money. Second, career ending injuries are rare today. Third, the player then controls there own future and not trapped for 8 years.

Is it possible that not all NHL players are concerned about squeezing ever last ounce of money out of there teams? Once you make millions and millions, or sign a max deal for one year, does it really matter? How much money do people need? lol

Not sure if they are best buddies or anything, but they played together in London.

I have heard doughty and kadri are buddies though. They hang out in the off-season together. Both are from London.
- bryant

Doughty to the Leafs confirmed Yeah I saw an interview of Doughty talking about Kadri at his(Kadri's) golf tournament

But traded in part for each other. People have vague not specific proposals about getting this D for Nylander. And I think underrate Nylander. No one proposes trading Marner but Nylander is as good as him imo.
- Zezel

I like them both and hope to keep both.
But id keep marner over nylander imo.
Id be open to moving gardiner for a top 4 d who knows how to play defense and then simply improve our 5-6 spots. Filling the 5th spot with someone who can play 4 when needed.

They played with each other, I dont know that they are good buddies, but him and Matt Martin are.
- Archaic

Ahhhhhh!!!! So that is why we signed Martin!

Wait, so if we get Johnny T does that mean we have to keep Martin in the line up???

Big, hard young D
- Zezel

Exactly...

I can't think of a young D who is equal to Nylander in player value who a team would trade. If it's a lesser D plus, Nylander is the best player in the deal and you're Chiarelli.

If JT signs with the Leafs Nylander is gone for D help..
- Fruitcakenipple

Not guaranteed.
Keep nylander at wing.
Have two facking awesome lines...and a 3rd good line.