Most impressive is that LA Kings GM back in the day did not sign some of his players to ridiculous contracts with NTC thrown in so they represent attractive target. So they did not pay for past cups with future contracts as some fans here try to justify Bowman signings, and thus did not handicap the team.
Now Kings will dive to higher draft pick (chances to land Hughes go up) and they also have Toronto 20-30 pick and some decent prospects to boot while Hawks are stuck in Detroit 2014 mode.

If Gardiner doesn't have the game he did against Boston in the playoffs, do we really see a defensive deficiency of that magnitude? I am from the camp that if you focus squarely on one player, you start to nit pick. Look at the Leddy's, Gustafson's etc.

Gardiner is a +17 and on top of that, the Leafs as a team are not the best defensive minded group. Erik Karlsson is a defensive liability and he will be getting a massive payday, I don't see the issue with giving Gardiner 7 mil.
- nickmo2699

Toronto fans boo him because of his defensive shortcomings... his +/- is high because the Leafs score lots and Andersen has been great! At 7 a year, it's a horrible contract

If Gardiner doesn't have the game he did against Boston in the playoffs, do we really see a defensive deficiency of that magnitude? I am from the camp that if you focus squarely on one player, you start to nit pick. Look at the Leddy's, Gustafson's etc.

Gardiner is a +17 and on top of that, the Leafs as a team are not the best defensive minded group. Erik Karlsson is a defensive liability and he will be getting a massive payday, I don't see the issue with giving Gardiner 7 mil.
- nickmo2699

You would have a big issue with it if it is the Hawks who dole out the $7 mill for Gardiner.

Yeah, I think he'll be the next Shattenkirk. Hopefully Stan is smart enough to stay away from him and Myers both.
- Davewn

Someone will pay him large because of his padded stats playing for the Leafs

You would have a big issue with it if it is the Hawks who dole out the $7 mill for Gardiner.
- RickJ

If the Hawks did? Yes I would. Just because we have a so called younger version of him in Gus, who we could have for under 3 million. With Keith and Seabrook, I dont want the Hawks signing anyone for more than 5 until we shed one of them.

Most impressive is that LA Kings GM back in the day did not sign some of his players to ridiculous contracts with NTC thrown in so they represent attractive target. So they did not pay for past cups with future contracts as some fans here try to justify Bowman signings, and thus did not handicap the team.
Now Kings will dive to higher draft pick (chances to land Hughes go up) and they also have Toronto 20-30 pick and some decent prospects to boot while Hawks are stuck in Detroit 2014 mode.
- vshun

Brown, Kovalchuk, Kopitar, Phaneuf, Doughty-even Nate Thompson has one. Muzzin was one of the few vets without one

We shall see what MNGT does but indeed time to rebuild.

Time to embrace the transition.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

You defined the pulse here Tyler of where us fans and SB should be. It's more of risk management than a tank at this stage. It shows Blake has the right stuff. It's your move Stan, if you don't, Detroit will be next

You defined the pulse here Tyler of where us fans and SB should be. It's more of risk management than a tank at this stage. It shows Blake has the right stuff. It's your move Stan, if you don't, Detroit will be next
- holyJumpin_NL

I thought he could of gotten more for Muzzin, don't understand the rush since the trade deadline is a ways away. I don't think Blake knows how to play poker, unless there's a 2nd trade lined up for the summer? But i doubt it. Just because he made a trade doesn't make him a great GM. The great ones get full value for an asset like Muzzin.

And i think Blake came up short.

That was a nice move by Toronto. Still think they need one more top 4 dman

Although that is $4 mill less they have to work with to sign Marner and Matthews
- BetweenTheDots

At this time of the season, based on the return for Muzzin, what would a team expect back from the Leafs for a top 4 dman? If the Hawks offered up Murphy, I don't think they'll get back Kasparen.

I'd say it's best to wait until the off season to make trades, when teams like Toronto or Tampa Bay will be up against the cap crunch and have to move some decent assets.

Can someone help me understand something?

You look at Toronto having to sign Marner and Matthews. Marner is their leading scorer and will be paid less than Matthews. I am not saying Matthews isnt good, but if you're Mitch, that has to be kind of a punch in the gut after the year has had.

Why on earth is Marner not being given as much if not more than Matthews?

Last year the Hawks were sellers at the deadline and this year they will be. They are the say one thing, for the people who believe what they hear instead of what they see, and do another thing, which will be trades at the deadline and summer for cash strapped teams.

In a way it saves them money, its replacing Gardiner with a better D who will make less than Gardiner will get in FA
- obie

THIS.

The Muzzin trade spells the end of Gardiner.

At this time of the season, based on the return for Muzzin, what would a team expect back from the Leafs for a top 4 dman? If the Hawks offered up Murphy, I don't think they'll get back Kasparen.

I'd say it's best to wait until the off season to make trades, when teams like Toronto or Tampa Bay will be up against the cap crunch and have to move some decent assets.
- boilermaker100

And that's why i don't understand Blake's move, he's got nothing to lose and he can really pressure Toronto or any other team that needs a top 4 dman to get at least a top prospect and a 1st.

It would be nice to trade Anisimov and dump his 4.5M contract. I would take a 2nd or 3rd round draft choice for him. But that contract is a hindrance. Couldn't Stan have signed him for 1/2M less, or 1 year less, or without the modified NTC?

Can someone help me understand something?

You look at Toronto having to sign Marner and Matthews. Marner is their leading scorer and will be paid less than Matthews. I am not saying Matthews isnt good, but if you're Mitch, that has to be kind of a punch in the gut after the year has had.

Why on earth is Marner not being given as much if not more than Matthews?
- nickmo2699

For me out all this that i don't understand is the Tavares signing? That is the contract that is going to strangle this team.

Can someone help me understand something?

You look at Toronto having to sign Marner and Matthews. Marner is their leading scorer and will be paid less than Matthews. I am not saying Matthews isnt good, but if you're Mitch, that has to be kind of a punch in the gut after the year has had.

Why on earth is Marner not being given as much if not more than Matthews?
- nickmo2699

Marner has been their MVP this year, certainly not Mathews. Wrong to assume that he is going to take less money on a new deal than #34. In fact, Marner's camp has said they aren't talking contract until the off-season. I doubt he signs for less.

Marner has been their MVP this year, certainly not Mathews. Wrong to assume that he is going to take less money on a new deal than #34. In fact, Marner's camp has said they aren't talking contract until the off-season. I doubt he signs for less.
- RickJ

I know the armchair GM thing on CapFriendly is to try your hand, but a lot of the Leaf proposition have Matthews signing at a cap hit between 1.5-2 mil higher than Mitch.

Marner has been their MVP this year, certainly not Mathews. Wrong to assume that he is going to take less money on a new deal than #34. In fact, Marner's camp has said they aren't talking contract until the off-season. I doubt he signs for less.
- RickJ

I sure hope the player's union DEMANDS that Mathew and Marner sign the biggest contracts to date (just like Toews/Kane at that time). If there is any concession on either player contract, that will be BS.

For me out all this that i don't understand is the Tavares signing? That is the contract that is going to strangle this team.
- BetweenTheDots

Win now, worry about it later.

Tavares is a very good hockey player, they will dump Nylander to offset the cash/cap consequences.

Marner has been their MVP this year, certainly not Mathews. Wrong to assume that he is going to take less money on a new deal than #34. In fact, Marner's camp has said they aren't talking contract until the off-season. I doubt he signs for less.
- RickJ

Babcock was asked during the 2010 Olympics who his best player was and his reply was whatever player is playing with Toews. Same can be said about Marner. Whatever line Marner is on is the Leafs' best line. And add to that Marner lifted his game in the playoffs against Boston last season while matthews looked very ordinary.

Most impressive is that LA Kings GM back in the day did not sign some of his players to ridiculous contracts with NTC thrown in so they represent attractive target. So they did not pay for past cups with future contracts as some fans here try to justify Bowman signings, and thus did not handicap the team.
Now Kings will dive to higher draft pick (chances to land Hughes go up) and they also have Toronto 20-30 pick and some decent prospects to boot while Hawks are stuck in Detroit 2014 mode.
- vshun

Excuse me, Kovalchuk 35 , 2 more years at $6.25M NMC, Brown 34, 3 more years at $5.875 NMC, Carter 34, 3 more years at $5.2M, Phaneuf, 33 2 more years at $5.2 M NTC, Quick 33, 4 more years at $5.8M (and declining as an elite goalie). I think the Kings are more in Detroit mode than the Hawks.

Can someone help me understand something?

You look at Toronto having to sign Marner and Matthews. Marner is their leading scorer and will be paid less than Matthews. I am not saying Matthews isnt good, but if you're Mitch, that has to be kind of a punch in the gut after the year has had.

Why on earth is Marner not being given as much if not more than Matthews?
- nickmo2699

Yeah sort of like Kane and Toews. Our gold dust twins signed the same bridge contract and the subsequent contract.

But Marner and Mathews haven't signed yet, so we'll see what happens up there.

And that's why i don't understand Blake's move, he's got nothing to lose and he can really pressure Toronto or any other team that needs a top 4 dman to get at least a top prospect and a 1st.
- BetweenTheDots

How do you know that isn't the best offer he got for Muzzin? You all assume teams could get more but have no actual proof that is the case.

I know the armchair GM thing on CapFriendly is to try your hand, but a lot of the Leaf proposition have Matthews signing at a cap hit between 1.5-2 mil higher than Mitch.
- nickmo2699

I doubt that is going to happen.