So the Bolts dynasty looks to have ended. Do they let Stamkos walk? Hedman a UFA next summer. Could they move Cirelli who is signed long term and NTC has not kicked in yet?
No 1st rd pick this year and next year.

Then let him go. My point was that without him and JT, Leafs have the 7th most cap space for 25-26. And they still have a 1c and a very very good winger signed, both young.
- PT21

I am gonna respond to my own post and say that maybe I am wrong (after thinking it over). Maybe Marner shouldn't be resigned.

My larger point through was that they have the option of not resigning Marner, JT and they will still have 4-5 years likely of elite play from a worl class 1c, a world class 1RW, and lots of cash after the forthcoming season. And that is much better than the Flyers position.

I am gonna respond to my own post and say that maybe I am wrong (after thinking it over). Maybe Marner shouldn't be resigned.

My larger point through was that they have the option of not resigning Marner, JT and they will still have 4-5 years likely of elite play from a worl class 1c, a world class 1RW, and lots of cash after the forthcoming season. And that is much better than the Flyers position.
- PT21

It's all about elite players in this league. The Leafs have 3 of them. They just need to build the team around them better and they especially need to improve their defense.

Ah, being judged and challenged by PT21. That's the holy grail. That's how you know you've got him. Yet you call others "losers". The difference between you and I is that I don't hold any animosity to you and wish you no I'll will. I much prefer a verbal confrontation from which I hold far too many victories already to mention.
- MJL

1. Not "others". Regular posters is the term I used. Which means I included myself.

2. Animus? Wtf? I don't hold any animus towards you. Or any one else.

3. I did not challenge anyone to any physical confrontation. A person thought I had never been in a real fight. I laid down conditions where he could find he is incorrect.

4. Yes, victories of the sort the Caps inflicted on the Rangers. Remember 4 years ago when you thought trading Nylander for Sanheim would be a bad move and kept arguing with me? So yeah, many victories like that.

He has spent his entire existence on this site trying to convince others that he is a scholar and a superior being. It's been an epic failure. Imagine being so oblivious and having such a lack of self awareness to call others losers while challenging people to a physical confrontation.
- MJL

Nope. From 2008 (joining) to Feb 2020 cusp-of-Covid, I had a very polite persona and there was no confrontation that I recall.



You sir, have an effortless genius for being incorrect. I have never seen anything like it.

I think the rest of us can take the next hour or so off.

I think the rest of us can take the next hour or so off.
- mickel25

is this a fact? you can trade the better player and improve your team. thy def need to see what is out there in terms of a trade and what the return will be. Then what the next move would be if they did trade him. Would they be fools not to explore a trde cliff?

They still would have AM and Nylander to build around. Along with some other solid prospects. Not going to be easy but it is doable.

Just think if they trade JT back to the isles for s pittance and free up his cap space. Not an impossibility.
- hello it's me 2050

I think maybe Marner with 50% retained would be a good bet this summer ....

Your description of Mitch Marner is inaccurate. Your pet phrase and fall back position is "he can't win a puck battle". Marner is one of the top 10 forwards in the entire NHL. He is a top scorer and a Selke level defensive forward. They're unlikely to get equal value back and what they need in a trade for him. Marner does score in the playoffs. He has 49 points in 54 playoff games. The player you think is better, Nylander has 40 points in 51 playoff games. The Leafs have some problems with the makeup of their team but Marner is not the issue. If they could trade him for a top #1 defenseman, I would consider it but I don't see that being available.
- MJL

so if you cant get a #1 dman you re-sign him for 8 years at 12 per?

I think the rest of us can take the next hour or so off.
- mickel25

I would have thought that just being on here is taking time off.

It's all about elite players in this league. The Leafs have 3 of them. They just need to build the team around them better and they especially need to improve their defense.
- MJL

The players need to 'fit' together. Kopitar needed someone like Brown to do the dirty work and then a finisher like JW/Gaborik. Point is a very good player but he is not stratospheric. Yet he is perfect for Kucherov. etc etc.

2 of those 3 are wingers. If it had been 2 C and 1 W, different story.

Your description of Mitch Marner is inaccurate. Your pet phrase and fall back position is "he can't win a puck battle". Marner is one of the top 10 forwards in the entire NHL. He is a top scorer and a Selke level defensive forward. They're unlikely to get equal value back and what they need in a trade for him. Marner does score in the playoffs. He has 49 points in 54 playoff games. The player you think is better, Nylander has 40 points in 51 playoff games. The Leafs have some problems with the makeup of their team but Marner is not the issue. If they could trade him for a top #1 defenseman, I would consider it but I don't see that being available.
- MJL

This reminds me of your...but jake has so many assists, elite playmaker vibe. That does not mean he is a winner. Do you want points and play, or do you want winners come playoffs time. i couldnt care less how many points players get in the regular season.

The players need to 'fit' together. Kopitar needed someone like Brown to do the dirty work and then a finisher like JW/Gaborik. Point is a very good player but he is not stratospheric. Yet he is perfect for Kucherov. etc etc.

2 of those 3 are wingers. If it had been 2 C and 1 W, different story.
- PT21

Point is actually kinda stratospheric.

The players need to 'fit' together. Kopitar needed someone like Brown to do the dirty work and then a finisher like JW/Gaborik. Point is a very good player but he is not stratospheric. Yet he is perfect for Kucherov. etc etc.

2 of those 3 are wingers. If it had been 2 C and 1 W, different story.
- PT21

Point is an elite player in this league.

You still haven't learned the concept of sample size. The fact that Nylander just signed an extension, does not mean that he can't be moved.
- MJL

Nylander isn't going anywhere. It's Marner and you will be WRONG AGAIN!

Point is actually kinda stratospheric.
- Tomahawk

I am a big Point fan. But he has had two tremendous seasons by his standards. Those have coincided with 2 tremendous seasons playing with Kucherov by the latter's standards.

The blips coincide.

It's all about elite players in this league. The Leafs have 3 of them. They just need to build the team around them better and they especially need to improve their defense.
- MJL

How do they build around them any better than they have? The top four guys are taking up $46.65-million of their cap. Add Reilly's 7.5 and there's not much left for the remaining roster spots.

only one team wins the cup, only a handful are close, the first round has been a reminder so far. There will be 20 plus teams reshaping their teams.

I think Tampa has to sell to some extent, they have tried to re-tool and it has not worked, Panthers put the exclamation point on it.

Leafs, well yall handled that already. Honestly in the East, seems the only Panthers and Canes are built for a cup, the west seems to have more legit contenders.

Add in the cap and it makes for an interesting draft and FA period.

Marner also has an NMC according the cap friendly. As does Nylander.
- MBFlyerfan

Marner is currently taking lots of $hit from the fan base up there, so he may be happy to get out of Dodge if this series ends badly and he is deemed a non participant by the zealots.

I am a big Point fan. But he has had two tremendous seasons by his standards. Those have coincided with 2 tremendous seasons playing with Kucherov by the latter's standards.

The blips coincide.
- PT21

They've been connected at the hip since forever and the benefit has been mutual.

Both of them process the game at such a ridiculously high level that they unlock potential that likely wouldn't be possible playing with anybody else.

And Point covers up for Kuch w/o the puck.

Flyers haven't made the playoffs in four years and we're more worried about the Leafs.

Marner is currently taking lots of $hit from the fan base up there, so he may be happy to get out of Dodge if this series ends badly and he is deemed a non participant by the zealots.
- Phillywhiteout

There will definitely be big changes in Toronto unless they can come back and make the Bruins choke like they did last year.

Point is an elite player in this league.
- MJL

I remember G saying that Point is the smartest player on the ice today by far.

I was just thinking the same thing….man these PPs look totally different.
- landros 2

So does the talent on the ice.

No one is leaving Toronto other than Keefe. Marner has a NMC and they'll try to patch the goalie situation.

I wouldn't give up 1sts if I were Toronto but maybe a guy like Markstrom is an option. Not sure if they want to spend the money or if they can even afford it.