It's called money....

These kids haven't made much money yet, this is their opportunity to get paid and they will... I mean the notion that Matthews, Marner or Nylander will "take one for the team" is laughable... They're not - it's never going to happen. As it stands today Matthews will get 13m, Marner 9.5 and Nylander 7.5... Of course they could all have elite seasons - which is something Leafs fans would love to see - but the better they do the more $$$$ they're going to cost to re-sign.

These kids damn well know that every game could be their last.. These next 2 contracts they will get will be the ones that will set them up for their entire lives..If you think Marner would turn down a 10 million dollar contract from the Islanders when Toronto is only offering 7.5 then you're out of your mind..... And it's not only the Islanders, there are a lot of GM's with a lot of cap space after this recent cap increase... Given Marner's age and what he does this season, yea I could see a slew of offer-sheets thrown at him......

I mean I don't see Matthews making it until July 1st without a contract extension, however Marner certainly will because the Leafs won't have enough cap space to extend Marner for what he wants...

So yea, Shanahan will probably get Nylander signed sometime in the next month, then at some point during the season will get Matthews an extension... Then at some point after the playoffs (probably the draft) will have to unload a few contracts - at least Marleau just to get Marner his extension before it's open season on him July 1st...But still - If Shanahan can accomplish that - he will still need to fill 10 roster spots (at least) with ZERO cap dollars to do it with, so that means 2 of Kadri, Reilly or Zaitsev will have to be moved just so Shanahan can fill out the roster...

TBH, the smartest thing Shanahan could do would be to move a big salary now, or even trade Nylander now, because that would solve a lot of problems down the road - not only that but at least he could get fair market value for a larger salary now, and that's not going to be the case when Shanahan has his back against the wall at next years draft knowing he has ZERO cap space and 10 players to sign...

I don't know what Shanahan was thinking when he signed Tavares knowing that he hast to get Matthews, Marner and Nylander signed to long-term deals, especially Matthews - that dude is getting paid McDavid money, perhaps more depending on what he does this season.
- Savard2Secord

DERP
- nbboy

Wow, when he lays it out like that, it's pretty obvious we are franked.

Do you think trading away Marner to Chicago for a 2nd round pick would help us out?

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.
- plantheparade

You don't watch a lot of Edmonton games, do you?

You don't watch a lot of Edmonton games, do you?
- Atomic Wedgie

I like the 5 other centers better than McDavid.
I guess I value defense more in a Center than you.

I like the 5 other centers better than McDavid.
I guess I value defense more in a Center than you.
- plantheparade

Just because McDavid scores 100000 points doesn't mean he's bad defensively you know.

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.
- plantheparade

McDavid at 6 lol

Just because McDavid scores 100000 points doesn't mean he's bad defensively you know.
- Scabeh

I think McDavid is so good it almost bothers people

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.
- plantheparade

mcdavid #6

I think McDavid is so good it almost bothers people
- ClarksonDavid

You don't win games by scoring goals, you win by not letting the other team score goals

I think McDavid is so good it almost bothers people
- ClarksonDavid

I can't wait until he refuses to report to Edmonton and forces a trade to the Leafs.

It will be glorious!

I like the 5 other centers better than McDavid.
I guess I value defense more in a Center than you.
- plantheparade

But you have Tavares ahead of him

But you have Tavares ahead of him
- senstroll

And Matthews and I think Matthews is fine defensively but he’s defiantly not a stud two way guy or anything.

And Matthews and I think Matthews is fine defensively but he’s defiantly not a stud two way guy or anything.
- ClarksonDavid

exactly.

Also if you value defence (and thats fair) ..why have Barkov or couturier that low.

Wow, when he lays it out like that, it's pretty obvious we are franked.

Do you think trading away Marner to Chicago for a 2nd round pick would help us out?
- Atomic Wedgie

mcdavid #6
- senstroll

you'd expect Max to play by the rules...?

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.
- plantheparade

I would have

1. Kuznetsov
2. Backstrom
3. Eller
4. Beagle
5. Crosby
6. Malkin
7. Bonino
8. Cullen
9. Crosby
10. Malkin
11. Bonino
12. Cullen
13. Toews
14. B. Richards
15. Shaw

Question for youse guys out in Alberta:

I'm screwing around on the Ticketmaster site - thinking about the possibility of skiing in Alberta for the March Break - and of course watching the Leafs in Edmonton on the Saturday night.

Holy frank, the cheapest seat is $300.

Is this really the case, or is this just early season price gouging by resellers - will that price actually go down?

you'd expect Max to play by the rules...?
- 21peter

Mcdavid has to be #1 and any list that doesnt have him there is laughable.

Mcdavid had 84 even strength points this past season. For comparison Crosbys best season was 72..in his 5th season in the League.

Mcdavid is on his own level and its not close

Upon further examination, you pay a huge premium to see the Leafs.

Tickets are half the price for the next Saturday night vs. Ottawa - and about a third the price for weekday games.

Scotiabank Arena had a bit of a leak...must be excited for the season to start!
https://streamable.com/7wtax

Mcdavid has to be #1 and any list that doesnt have him there is laughable.

Mcdavid had 84 even strength points this past season. For comparison Crosbys best season was 72..in his 5th season in the League.

Mcdavid is on his own level and its not close
- senstroll

Bure and Datsyuk in one player...!

1. Crosby
2. Bergeron
3. Tavares
4. Malkin
5. Matthews
6. McDavid
7. Kopitar
8. McKinnon
9. Couturier
10. Barkov
11. Eichel
12. Seguin
13. Backstrom
14. Scheifele
15. Barzal

my ranking if all were available in a draft and i would want to win a Stanley Cup in next 3 years.
- plantheparade

McDavid 6th

Bure and Datsyuk in one player...!
- 21peter

McDavid only had 48 points in his first season and followed that up with a paltry 30 goals. Elite my ass.


- Grant McCagg if McDavid was a Leaf

Upon further examination, you pay a huge premium to see the Leafs.

Tickets are half the price for the next Saturday night vs. Ottawa - and about a third the price for weekday games.
- Atomic Wedgie

the Sens just released their Tier pricing.. only 1 team is in the top highest $ tier


..also why are words being cut off now in our posts?

McDavid only had 48 points in his first season and followed that up with a paltry 30 goals. Elite my ass.


- Grant McCagg if McDavid was a Leaf
- AdamFrench

What a (frank)ing tool.