James Tanner: What's That Cap Lookin' Like?

Worth noting they can also buyout Orpik this offseason, lower his cap hit to 2.5m, and only have it cost them 1.5m next season.

matt martin for brooks orprik

matt martin for brooks orprik
- Tumbleweed

That is a trade that thankfully the Kyle Dubas led Leafs will never consider.

That is a trade that thankfully the Kyle Dubas led Leafs will never consider.
- james_tanner1

2 useless players. leafs can send orprik to the echl for all i care.

leafs are flush with cap space this year, and need it next year.

caps get $3M in cap relief this year when they need it.

leafs get $2.5M in cap relief next year, when they need it.

Save your money on DSP. He’s not worth the headache and you’ll get regular season DSP and not the playoff version

2 useless players. leafs can send orprik to the echl for all i care.

leafs are flush with cap space this year, and need it next year.

caps get $3M in cap relief this year when they need it.

leafs get $2.5M in cap relief next year, when they need it.
- Tumbleweed

I would argue the Leafs cap space this year is of vital importance. It's the last year where Marner and Matthews cost nothing instead of 20 million. Therefore, they're going to have to load up for a run to the cup. It's the best shot they'll ever have and with an analytics first approach, I can guarantee you they know that.

I'd be shocked if the Leafs were willing to waste even one dollar of this years cap - they'll be looking for lots and lots of rentals.

I had to create an account just to respond to this article.

You think the Capitals, a team which just won the Stanley Cup, should trade their top line right wing? Wilson just put up 15 points in 21 playoff games en route to the Cup. That's almost a 60 point pace over the course of a full season. He's fast, he can hit, and he's an excellent forechecker. He's an RFA and he has little bargaining power; this is the first quality NHL season of his entire career, after all. He's not going anywhere.

What do you think Wilson will get in a trade ?

What type of deal do u see him signing ?

I would argue the Leafs cap space this year is of vital importance. It's the last year where Marner and Matthews cost nothing instead of 20 million. Therefore, they're going to have to load up for a run to the cup. It's the best shot they'll ever have and with an analytics first approach, I can guarantee you they know that.

I'd be shocked if the Leafs were willing to waste even one dollar of this years cap - they'll be looking for lots and lots of rentals.
- james_tanner1

Interesting take. This could come to pass... but what if there is a possibility of signing a Tavares (yay!) or a Carlson (hard pass)?

I think they will definitely be more conservative if Matthews and Marner decide to wait until next year to sign. They will have to guard against those two having monster years and both requiring 8 figures per.

What do you think Wilson will get in a trade ?

What type of deal do u see him signing ?
- rinaldo

As much as we all hate him. he is an actual power forward, that plays on the edge. There are times that kind of play will cost you, but there are also times it makes you team play a little bit bigger.

I think it would take a lot to pry him away from Washington.

The best they could do was add no-name Michal Kempny from the Hawks.

That was arguably the best any team did at the deadline, except for maybe Stastny. Kempny was a very fortunate pickup.

As much as we all hate him. he is an actual power forward, that plays on the edge. There are times that kind of play will cost you, but there are also times it makes you team play a little bit bigger.

I think it would take a lot to pry him away from Washington.
- Aetherial

I do think he will get overpaid. Would love him on the flyers but they don’t want tough players anymore.

Not sure on his cost but clearly won’t be cheap. Package him and Orpik!!

Wilson is going nowhere, he is loved by the team and fans and has little bargaining power as a RFA. Probably signs a one year 3 to 3.5 deal with a long term deal next year. Carlson may price himself out of the team but he likes DC and he may give a hometown discount of 7.5 over 8 years. Kempny is a keeper at 2mil for 3 years. DSP and Beagle are tougher choices. GMBM will probably keep only one and likely, Beagle because he values strength up the middle but a close call. Stephenson could replace Beagle but I think they like him better on the wing. Neither Beagle or DSP should be paid over 1.8 on a short term contract.

Orpik's contract is the problem. You can do all the above, if you move his contract for picks or with Grubauer or buy out assuming cap goes to 80. Isles would be a good place for Grubauer and Orpik plus a second for Kiefer Bellows. Grubauer is the real deal (Lou loves goalies), Orpik would give the D some backbone and vet experience and a second is always good value. Caps get a young power forward with upside under EL for another year or two. Everyone wins.

Wilson is going nowhere, he is loved by the team and fans and has little bargaining power as a RFA. Probably signs a one year 3 to 3.5 deal with a long term deal next year. Carlson may price himself out of the team but he likes DC and he may give a hometown discount of 7.5 over 8 years. Kempny is a keeper at 2mil for 3 years. DSP and Beagle are tougher choices. GMBM will probably keep only one and likely, Beagle because he values strength up the middle but a close call. Stephenson could replace Beagle but I think they like him better on the wing. Neither Beagle or DSP should be paid over 1.8 on a short term contract.

Orpik's contract is the problem. You can do all the above, if you move his contract for picks or with Grubauer or buy out assuming cap goes to 80. Isles would be a good place for Grubauer and Orpik plus a second for Kiefer Bellows. Grubauer is the real deal (Lou loves goalies), Orpik would give the D some backbone and vet experience and a second is always good value. Caps get a young power forward with upside under EL for another year or two. Everyone wins.
- KVS

As much as we all overthink the goalie market, value and otherwise. I think Grubauer is going to fetch the Caps a nice return .. He can play and Carolina needs a goalie bad along with a slew of other teams - Caps should be able to dump Orpik in a trade with Gru, and find a decent backup to Holtby...

Carolina is also an option. They need a goalie as bad as the Isles and could use a veteran D like Orpik if they trade Faulk or Hanifin for scoring help. Who else needs a goalie? Flyers?

I had to create an account just to respond to this article.

You think the Capitals, a team which just won the Stanley Cup, should trade their top line right wing? Wilson just put up 15 points in 21 playoff games en route to the Cup. That's almost a 60 point pace over the course of a full season. He's fast, he can hit, and he's an excellent forechecker. He's an RFA and he has little bargaining power; this is the first quality NHL season of his entire career, after all. He's not going anywhere.
- allfath3r

Yes I do. He's a liability because for everything he does well, he also takes too many penalties and fights players who are much worse than he is.

The logic makes sense too because if you sign him and Carlson, you have no money to improve the team. If you let Wilson go, you at least have some money to improve the roster.

Given the money he's going to ask for, I can't fathom a situation where he signs a contract that actually benefits the team.

Interesting take. This could come to pass... but what if there is a possibility of signing a Tavares (yay!) or a Carlson (hard pass)?

I think they will definitely be more conservative if Matthews and Marner decide to wait until next year to sign. They will have to guard against those two having monster years and both requiring 8 figures per.
- Aetherial

I think it will really screw the Leafs if those two don't sign, just because, like you said, it's harder to go for it now without the cost certainty for next year. Considering locking them up for their primes means that they have to be paid higher salaries than they've technically earned to date, I think the Leafs can just pay them what they'd earn if they went out and had awesome years anyway.

For the players, they have almost no leverage, so it doesn't really make sense to wait a year and risk an injury.

If the Leafs can get them on a combined hit for less than Draisaitl and McDavid, I think they did alright.

I would argue the Leafs cap space this year is of vital importance. It's the last year where Marner and Matthews cost nothing instead of 20 million. Therefore, they're going to have to load up for a run to the cup. It's the best shot they'll ever have and with an analytics first approach, I can guarantee you they know that.

I'd be shocked if the Leafs were willing to waste even one dollar of this years cap - they'll be looking for lots and lots of rentals.
- james_tanner1

I don't disagree. But if you can't add thornton, spezza or a big time dman, you need to use the space.


Unrelated: Oel 8x8.25 coming

What would it take for a team with money abnd cap space to eat Orpiks contract?

New York is rebuilding and stock piling picks, is that an option?

He goes with Grubauer. Caps keep picks. Need new talent in the pipeline unless someone gives up a first for Gruby.

Shame for OEL.
Would have been nice to see him play on a relevant team. It feels like he was never really in the NHL.

I think the Caps will be fine, the moves they made last year were made in anticipation of the situation they are in right now. Whatever happens I imagine the core will still be intact by the time next season starts, as long as Carlson doesn't chase a ridiculous deal. Also, I think that coming off of winning a cup, their bargaining power is about as high as it can be in terms of a team negotiating with a pending UFA.

I’d take Orpik and the 31st overall pick for future considerations on the Habs any day. Let’s be real, the Habs need to rebuild and they’re not going anywhere next year, so taking a year of Orpik is worth an extra first rounder (albeit the last 1st rounder).