I've never believed paying stars/elite players (under 30 yr old) big money an issue. The problem imo is when you give it to guys like bobby ryan or David Clarkson.
We dont have to afford all of them. Just the best ones. It's not comparable imo to the Toews and Kane situation because those guys had already played tons of hockey due to long payoff runs and are now 30 years old and possibly not as good as they were when they were early to mid 20s. (Unlike tavares who has young studs like matthews and marner around him)
That and not developing many good young players because of a lack of picks..and top picks.
- systemtool
you guys are gonna have problems paying your studs. I would not be surprised at all if Matthews asks for and gets a max contract. What is Marner gonna want? 8 mill (not unreasonable at all IMO) so right there 3 guys you would have over 30 Mil gone in cap space.. Im just saying, I think your going to have to trade some young talent away soon.. Nylander being one of them.