Yeah, they will have to make some tough decisions and it isn't going to be so easy for them to move Callahan unless they add some vg prospects. Even Killorn and Palat are going to be troublesome for TB. Not to say those two are not useful players that wouldn't be assets for a team to acquire, but the leverage will be with the team in the market for Palat and Killorn.
- Elbows15

What do you think a possible trade scenario this summer with TB and Hawks for Callahan? After this year, Callahan has one year left at 5.8M. TB will need help on defense.

How about Callahan, a top TB NHL ready forward prospect and 2nd round choice for Gus and Forsling? TB gets 2 defensemen at 2+M netting 3.5M in cap space. Hawks get help at forward and free up spots for up and coming defensemen of their own.

The projected cap for next season is $83MM, up from $79.5MM. Since the RFAs expire in separate years for a lot of these teams, I don’t think anyone huge is going to be let go. I don’t think it’ll be like when the Hawks let go of Buff. Winnipeg has moveable contracts in Little, Perreault, Kulikov and letting Myers expire. As someone mentioned, the Bolts can move Callahan but they can also move Palat or Tyler Johnson and their RFAs are really tiered. Maybe later when they re-sign Vas then they finally have to walk away from one stud or Killorn, but even then they’re all signed on great deals and will likely bring in large returns. The big prize coming out of TO will be them letting Gardiner walk for nothing. That’s going to be a good get for some lucky team.

I made a proposal for Florida to go after Hamilton earlier but heck, this isn’t their year so maybe they just wait and throw money at Gardiner. We’ll see - should be a heck of a TDL for once and one hell of a draft/offseason
- WSCTeton17

Having been through cap hell as a Hawk fan for the last decade, the returns will be nowhere near the value of each player. For instance, the Jets are at 54Mish for next season for 9 players. Problem is 3 of their RFA are Trouba, Laine and Connor. A conservative guess for those 3 players I would put around 20M total. That leaves them around 9M for 9 players. Even moving Perrault or Little doesn't leave a whole lot of cap space because it now adds two more player slot to replace.

Oh and Brossoit is also a RFA. They are definitely in cap hell after this season.

What do you think a possible trade scenario this summer with TB and Hawks for Callahan? After this year, Callahan has one year left at 5.8M. TB will need help on defense.

How about Callahan, a top TB NHL ready forward prospect and 2nd round choice for Gus and Forsling? TB gets 2 defensemen at 2+M netting 3.5M in cap space. Hawks get help at forward and free up spots for up and coming defensemen of their own.
- boilermaker100

Well, forward help is kinda a stretch with Callahan but its only one year so I will play along.

Callahan, Raddysh/ Katchouk and a 1st. would be my ask. Or they can keep the 1st and throw in Cirelli.

Sounds like the leafs are talking about shorter contracts for Matthews and Marner .Something like 5 or 6 years for a little less money( cap hit ) .I don't know if that a good idea or not .Just what I read .
- oldduffman

Heard the same thing. If I am Mathews with the shoulder issues and a concussion I am not taking a shorter deal. I want 8 years a d max money.

Marner is going to earn close to the same amount as Mathews. Marner is the more complete 200ft player.

Mathews has been struggling and who does Babcock put on his line? Marner.

The Leafs are in cap trouble know matter how long those two contracts are.

Well, forward help is kinda a stretch with Callahan but its only one year so I will play along.

Callahan, Raddysh/ Katchouk and a 1st. would be my ask. Or they can keep the 1st and throw in Cirelli.
- Elbows15

Sign me up!!!

Sounds like the leafs are talking about shorter contracts for Matthews and Marner .Something like 5 or 6 years for a little less money( cap hit ) .I don't know if that a good idea or not .Just what I read .
- oldduffman

Hmmm and yet either one have been signed, the worst thing to happen is Nylander holding out and getting a juicy pay day

Heard the same thing. If I am Mathews with the shoulder issues and a concussion I am not taking a shorter deal. I want 8 years a d max money.

Marner is going to earn close to the same amount as Mathews. Marner is the more complete 200ft player.

Mathews has been struggling and who does Babcock put on his line? Marner.

The Leafs are in cap trouble know matter how long those two contracts are.
- scott.jackson

I was listening to Sirius NHL network radio yesterday, The discussion was about the top RFA forwards to be resigned this year... Mathews, Marner, Laine, Point. They were saying no one wants to be the first to sign. They all want to wait to see what their contemporaries will get. Should be an interesting summer.

Heard the same thing. If I am Mathews with the shoulder issues and a concussion I am not taking a shorter deal. I want 8 years a d max money.

Marner is going to earn close to the same amount as Mathews. Marner is the more complete 200ft player.

Mathews has been struggling and who does Babcock put on his line? Marner.

The Leafs are in cap trouble know matter how long those two contracts are.
- scott.jackson

Marner is a terrific player but he isn't a better two way player than Matthews. Matthews was struggling scoring goals. He still had something like 12 points in 14 games. Plus he is dragging bums like Conor Brown and Johnsson around as his line-mates. Marner was playing with Tavares.

Then pay attention. Kampf is going to be a vg shutdown center. He is being miscast as a 3C. He won't need offensive upside in that role. He will just need to be able to flip the ice, which he already does quite well.
- Elbows15

I agree, i like him a lot he's got hockey senses and may not wow you but he's a consistently solid forward most nights

Hmmm and yet either one have been signed, the worst thing to happen is Nylander holding out and getting a juicy pay day
- BetweenTheDots

They are in conversations with Matthews but Marner and his agent have stated they want to wait until after the season. Much like Nylander and the influence of his Dad, the Leafs may have some of the same issues with Marner's Dad.

I agree, i like him a lot he's got hockey senses and may not wow you but he's a consistently solid forward most nights
- BetweenTheDots

Kid plays his ass off every shift. I appreciate an honest effort.

They are in conversations with Matthews but Marner and his agent have stated they want to wait until after the season. Much like Nylander and the influence of his Dad, the Leafs may have some of the same issues with Marner's Dad.
- Elbows15

I don't blame these kids, make as much as you can, there's no 2nd chances when it comes to being 21 and at the top of the game, trust me the team will cut you if you suck. Too bad owners imposed their own salary cap because they truly have no discipline

They are in conversations with Matthews but Marner and his agent have stated they want to wait until after the season. Much like Nylander and the influence of his Dad, the Leafs may have some of the same issues with Marner's Dad.
- Elbows15

And Matthews Dad.

And Matthews Dad.
- paulr

Really? I haven't seen anything about that. Isn't Matthews represented by Brisson? Or did he split with him?

And Matthews Dad.
- paulr

Sweet, you know how neurotic Chicago fans would of been if Kane, Toews, and Keith weren't signed by the summer of 2010

I don't blame these kids, make as much as you can, there's no 2nd chances when it comes to being 21 and at the top of the game, trust me the team will cut you if you suck. Too bad owners imposed their own salary cap because they truly have no discipline
- BetweenTheDots

When you consider the bum sitting at the end of the bench in the NBA makes about as much as the top players in the NHL, you bet.

Marner is a terrific player but he isn't a better two way player than Matthews. Matthews was struggling scoring goals. He still had something like 12 points in 14 games. Plus he is dragging bums like Conor Brown and Johnsson around as his line-mates. Marner was playing with Tavares.
- Elbows15

Marner is the Kane and Matthews the Toews. People miss the subteties of Matthews game because he does so many things well. Marner is more of an offensive player who isn't terrible defensively. Like Hawk fans did with Kane and Toews, Leaf fans argue the merit of Marner and Matthews when they should be happy they have both of them.

And Matthews Dad.
- paulr

I would be very surprised if Mathews takes any less than 12M. He will want more than Tavares.

Really? I haven't seen anything about that. Isn't Matthews represented by Brisson? Or did he split with him?
- Elbows15

He's with the Orr hockey group

I would be very surprised if Mathews takes any less than 12M. He will want more than Tavares.
- scott.jackson

And should he get offer sheeted the Leafs are screwed. And should Marner also get offer sheeted the Leafs are toast!

I would be very surprised if Mathews takes any less than 12M. He will want more than Tavares.
- scott.jackson

He is going to want at the very least the same as Eichel.

He's with the Orr hockey group
- paulr

Ok. Yeah. I wasn't sure if he was still with Brisson but now that you mentioned it, I do recall reading about him going to Orr's group

And should he get offer sheeted the Leafs are screwed. And should Marner also get offer sheeted the Leafs are toast!
- paulr

Fun to think about but offer sheets are rare. Though, if ever there was an off-season to do it, this is the one with all the RFAs out there.

Fun to think about but offer sheets are rare. Though, if ever there was an off-season to do it, this is the one with all the RFAs out there.
- Elbows15

Yeah I know they're rare but I'd love to see both of them get offer sheets and screw up the Leafs or their cap for years! It'll make them regret signing Tavares and Nylander!

And should he get offer sheeted the Leafs are screwed. And should Marner also get offer sheeted the Leafs are toast!
- paulr

Funny that Dubas was on Sportsnet a month ago and said they would be fine if they got offer sheeted. Lol

Growing up in Ontario and listening to all the Leaf fans I would love to see both get offer sheeted.