You don't think the Blackhawks would offer Nylander 10M? I think several teams with cap space would do 7x10M. Honestly, I think the Leafs would sign that today if that were the price. You have to remember the cap could go up by as much as 8M in the next two years, 10M is not going to be the same % of the cap as its been in the past. Furthermore, you still have to spend that money somewhere. Who can the Leafs allocate that money on that makes them better in your opinion?
In a year JT's 11M comes off the books, where that money is spent will likely determine how good this team is. I also think the Leafs need to draw a hard line in the sand with Marner and not give him a significant raise over what he already earns.