He'll be the big fish on the FA list next year, so it makes sense that he might not be able to be kept (assuming he does as well here as he did in Col obviously). I think it comes down to Timmy and Sandin. If they are ready, he's probably gone. If not? They'll probably need to keep him to maintain the top-4.
- AdamFrench

Do you see Barrie on the top PP?

You guys are all missing the point. To say we are not in cap hell is just silly. We will have MAYBE $130,000 left under the cap when all is said and done, and we will be playing with no reserves for the most part. We'll be at around 21 players on the roster as opposed to the 23 most teams will carry.

I'd imagine the first argument people will make is that the cap is going up next year. The cap is not going up enough to keep Barrie, Muzzin and Dermott. Yes, Sandin and Liljegren may be ready by then, but you're talking about losing a LOT of veteran leadership on the blueline all at once. (Projections for Dermott on a long term deal are upwards of $4.5M, Barrie wants 8M+ and Muzzin will undoubtedly get a raise into the 5M-6M range on a medium term deal.)

We are in cap hell until 2021-2022.


If Willie had taken 6, Matthews had taken 11 and Marner takes 9.5, we would be in a much more comfortable situation coming into this season with an extra 2M in the bank. Especially because we would have some flexibility to add a player at the deadline. We may have even had a shot of extending Tyson Barrie for another 5 years+. But with the 8M he will be commanding next year, we can probably kiss him goodbye.
- Snowman X

Are you aware of their cap situation for next year? Because they have more than enough $ to keep Barrie and Dermott. I question if Dubas will even attempt to keep Muzzin. We'll see.

You spend so much time worrying about what our top players make you forget most teams habe worse talent and are also at the cap because they overpay bottom 6 guys. Leafs are not doing that.

Take a look at the Islanders, Vegas, Philly, Montreal cap situations and get back to me.

I think that was a brilliant trade.
- RogerRoeper

At least we get to look forward to 3 top lines in the playoffs this year.

my only *, is that he gets to play pretty much fulltime with the best C in the League (imo) and the rat guy that it basically a top 5 winger
- senstroll

Nylander was lousy last year, personally I give him a mulligan, but please don't tell me Pasta only has good numbers because he plays with Bergeron and Marchand. He has been one of the most effective players against the Leafs every game I can recall - and there have been plenty.

At least we get to look forward to 3 top lines in the playoffs this year.
- bobbyisno1

I just want the best lineup put out by the coach. I have never seen him do that yet.

You guys are all missing the point. To say we are not in cap hell is just silly. We will have MAYBE $130,000 left under the cap when all is said and done, and we will be playing with no reserves for the most part. We'll be at around 21 players on the roster as opposed to the 23 most teams will carry.

I'd imagine the first argument people will make is that the cap is going up next year. The cap is not going up enough to keep Barrie, Muzzin and Dermott. Yes, Sandin and Liljegren may be ready by then, but you're talking about losing a LOT of veteran leadership on the blueline all at once. (Projections for Dermott on a long term deal are upwards of $4.5M, Barrie wants 8M+ and Muzzin will undoubtedly get a raise into the 5M-6M range on a medium term deal.)

We are in cap hell until 2021-2022.


If Willie had taken 6, Matthews had taken 11 and Marner takes 9.5, we would be in a much more comfortable situation coming into this season with an extra 2M in the bank. Especially because we would have some flexibility to add a player at the deadline. We may have even had a shot of extending Tyson Barrie for another 5 years+. But with the 8M he will be commanding next year, we can probably kiss him goodbye.
- Snowman X

cap hell is edmonton. only 2 good players at the cap max.

Are you aware of their cap situation for next year? Because they have more than enough $ to keep Barrie and Dermott. I question if Dubas will even attempt to keep Muzzin. We'll see.

You spend so much time worrying about what our top players make you forget most teams habe worse talent and are also at the cap because they overpay bottom 6 guys. Leafs are not doing that.

Take a look at the Islanders, Vegas, Philly, Montreal cap situations and get back to me.
- RogerRoeper

For (frank) sakes, look at Vancouver! They're no were near as good as the Leafs, have roughly 5 million in cap space, and still have to sign Brock Boeser and someone else I believe

I can't figure out what that team is doing. They were going in the right direction and taking their time and then just decided to say F it and attempt to ice a playoff worthy team at all costs.

Do you see Barrie on the top PP?
- RickJames77

He should be. It's literally his best trait. But who knows?

cap hell is edmonton. only 2 good players at the cap max.
- Tumbleweed

Yep. Edmonton has the worse cap situation by far. Their team is littered with Marleau and Zaitsev deals they need to ditch.,

Check out his actual ice-time. It's nothing great.
- RogerRoeper

Not sure you even watched his 1st 2 years then.

You've left out the fact we've added a much better DMan than Gardiner in Barrie for only 2.75. Connor Brown is not a big deal. Every team loses talent like that. Moore can do just as well.

And after Marner signs, we'll have 16-18 for next season. One of Barrie/Muzzin can be kept.
- RogerRoeper

Let's make sure that we shape our expectations, because too much optimism can be bordering on crazy.

Barrie is a better offensive defenseman than Gardiner, but he is actually not a better defenseman. He will be as prone to gaffes and high risk plays that don't turn out. The good will outweigh the bad, and the offense will benefit from it, but Barrie is a subpar defenseman. The fact that he's on the right side changes our weaponry significantly, so overall it's a plus.

For (frank) sakes, look at Vancouver! They're no were near as good as the Leafs, have roughly 5 million in cap space, and still have to sign Brock Boeser and someone else I believe

I can't figure out what that team is doing. They were going in the right direction and taking their time and then just decided to say F it and attempt to ice a playoff worthy team at all costs.
- RickJames77

Benning has been BRUTAL. Never, ever overpay for guys you can find on the cheap. He has (frank)ed their cap for a long time.

Vegas is very good, but they are over the cap. People say Lou should offersheet Marner, with what $? They don't have much left.

Leafs cap situation is comically overblown.

Let's make sure that we shape our expectations, because too much optimism can be bordering on crazy.

Barrie is a better offensive defenseman than Gardiner, but he is actually not a better defenseman. He will be as prone to gaffes and high risk plays that don't turn out. The good will outweigh the bad, and the offense will benefit from it, but Barrie is a subpar defenseman. The fact that he's on the right side changes our weaponry significantly, so overall it's a plus.
- Monkeypunk

You've just discribed Gardiner. Barrie is clearly better.

Not sure you even watched his 1st 2 years then.
- Garnie

Less than Kapanen got this past year is great?

https://www.capfriendly.com/

People need to go on here and look at other teams if they think Leafs are in cap hell. Do the Leafs even have any bad contracts left?

I just want the best lineup put out by the coach. I have never seen him do that yet.
- RogerRoeper

Hands are kind of tied when you have to play Nylander at 3rd line centre, but I agree, maybe should have tried Marleau.

Hands are kind of tied when you have to play Nylander at 3rd line centre, but I agree, maybe should have tried Marleau.
- bobbyisno1

The entire season though I hated seeing Marleau bring down the top 2 lines. And I can't get past Hyman's usage with 1 leg in the playoffs..

Let's make sure that we shape our expectations, because too much optimism can be bordering on crazy.

Barrie is a better offensive defenseman than Gardiner, but he is actually not a better defenseman. He will be as prone to gaffes and high risk plays that don't turn out. The good will outweigh the bad, and the offense will benefit from it, but Barrie is a subpar defenseman. The fact that he's on the right side changes our weaponry significantly, so overall it's a plus.
- Monkeypunk

high risk plays that don't turn out don't bother me that much as long as they were high reward potential.

the gardiner gaffes in his own zone won't be missed.

I wouldnt really normally care who he played with, but in this case Bergeron/Marchand are huge GAR players..i am not suggesting Pasta is a slouch in any way.
- senstroll

biggest factor for stats is linemates

You guys are all missing the point. To say we are not in cap hell is just silly. We will have MAYBE $130,000 left under the cap when all is said and done, and we will be playing with no reserves for the most part. We'll be at around 21 players on the roster as opposed to the 23 most teams will carry.

I'd imagine the first argument people will make is that the cap is going up next year. The cap is not going up enough to keep Barrie, Muzzin and Dermott. Yes, Sandin and Liljegren may be ready by then, but you're talking about losing a LOT of veteran leadership on the blueline all at once. (Projections for Dermott on a long term deal are upwards of $4.5M, Barrie wants 8M+ and Muzzin will undoubtedly get a raise into the 5M-6M range on a medium term deal.)

We are in cap hell until 2021-2022.


If Willie had taken 6, Matthews had taken 11 and Marner takes 9.5, we would be in a much more comfortable situation coming into this season with an extra 2M in the bank. Especially because we would have some flexibility to add a player at the deadline. We may have even had a shot of extending Tyson Barrie for another 5 years+. But with the 8M he will be commanding next year, we can probably kiss him goodbye.
- Snowman X

Honestly, that $2m isn't going to change the "cap hell" you're referring to. The "pennies" add up, sure, but this is not a critical tipping point.

Next year the cap will go up $2-3 million probably, and that will be withholding another $2-3m as they did this year. Ceci's $4.5m is off the books, and they'll have around $15m, I think, to sign Dermott and Barrie or Muzzin.

You guys are all missing the point. To say we are not in cap hell is just silly. We will have MAYBE $130,000 left under the cap when all is said and done, and we will be playing with no reserves for the most part. We'll be at around 21 players on the roster as opposed to the 23 most teams will carry.

I'd imagine the first argument people will make is that the cap is going up next year. The cap is not going up enough to keep Barrie, Muzzin and Dermott. Yes, Sandin and Liljegren may be ready by then, but you're talking about losing a LOT of veteran leadership on the blueline all at once. (Projections for Dermott on a long term deal are upwards of $4.5M, Barrie wants 8M+ and Muzzin will undoubtedly get a raise into the 5M-6M range on a medium term deal.)

We are in cap hell until 2021-2022.


If Willie had taken 6, Matthews had taken 11 and Marner takes 9.5, we would be in a much more comfortable situation coming into this season with an extra 2M in the bank. Especially because we would have some flexibility to add a player at the deadline. We may have even had a shot of extending Tyson Barrie for another 5 years+. But with the 8M he will be commanding next year, we can probably kiss him goodbye.
- Snowman X

I love Cap Hell. It's the best.

For (frank) sakes, look at Vancouver! They're no were near as good as the Leafs, have roughly 5 million in cap space, and still have to sign Brock Boeser and someone else I believe

I can't figure out what that team is doing. They were going in the right direction and taking their time and then just decided to say F it and attempt to ice a playoff worthy team at all costs.
- RickJames77

Being a cap team isn't the worst issue, being a cap team and having a disproportionate number of contracts that suck ass is a problem. Vancouver, LA and Chicago fall into this category.

I love Cap Hell. It's the best.
- Zezel

Much better than blue hell or dog hell.

Vegas is actually over the cap and amazingly, no one is aware or says anything. LOL

What contenders are in a much better spot, cap wise than the Leafs?

Being a cap team isn't the worst issue, being a cap team and having a disproportionate number of contracts that suck ass is a problem. Vancouver, LA and Chicago fall into this category.
- winsix

Leafs have 0. It's telling William Nylander would be named.