Leafs Offseason: Alot of big decisions, 17 key ones [Dubas(gone), Matthews, Marner, Nylander are biggies]

[egd27]

Depending on the contract demands of 34 & 88, I wouldn't be completely adverse to keeping the "gang" together one more time with a good coach. I think Dubas has finally figured out what he needs and is smart enough to acquire the personel.

That said, I don't think they will be able afford both 34 and 88, so one will probably have to go. Whoever will fetch the best package has to go.

 

[MCR74]

Depending on the contract demands of 34 & 88, I wouldn't be completely adverse to keeping the "gang" together one more time with a good coach. I think Dubas has finally figured out what he needs and is smart enough to acquire the personel.

That said, I don't think they will be able afford both 34 and 88, so one will probably have to go. Whoever will fetch the best package has to go.

I can't see how MLSE can realistically afford both. If Matthews and Marner have the balls to ask for a significant increase after their pathetic performance vs. Florida, trade them.

 

[Nineteen67]

At the right price, I'd bring him back. I like our roster if he is our #3LWer.

@ a 6 figure salary, maybe. He’s a big time loser and can’t play in the playoffs.

 

[Nineteen67]

I can't see how MLSE can realistically afford both. If Matthews and Marner have the balls to ask for a significant increase after their pathetic performance vs. Florida, trade them.

The hockey world, including players, coaches, GMs have all taken shots at them since they signed their contracts. Surely they’ve learned.

 

[ToneDog]

@ a 6 figure salary, maybe. He’s a big time loser and can’t play in the playoffs.

Perhaps a better coach can make him a better player. Doubt you find a better LWer via UFA for the same money.

 

[ToneDog]

The hockey world, including players, coaches, GMs have all taken shots at them since they signed their contracts. Surely they’ve learned.

They are not accepting less money in their next contracts unless they can't find a team that will pay them more and double back to the Bank of Maple Leafs. They wanted shorter term to set them up for their next haul. Money trumps winning for these guys and proof is in the pudding.

 

[Nineteen67]

Perhaps a better coach can make him a better player. Doubt you find a better LWer via UFA for the same money.

UFA options are at least two years down the road. They can use Marlies, for now.

 

[ToneDog]

UFA options are at least two years down the road. They can use Marlies, for now.

Which Marlie is better than Bunting and can put up 20+ goals ?? For me it will come down to his ask. Too much and agreed we go with a Marlie.

 

[MCR74]

They are not accepting less money in their next contracts unless they can't find a team that will pay them more and double back to the Bank of Maple Leafs. They wanted shorter term to set them up for their next haul. Money trumps winning for these guys and proof is in the pudding.

This.

I'm sure Paul will be back on the warpath when the time comes. Mitch won't be be taking a pay cut.

Much as I like Matthews, I get the impression he's ambivalent about remaining with the team. For his skill set and price range, I expect a lot more in the post-season.

 

[ToneDog]

This.

I'm sure Paul will be back on the warpath when the time comes. Mitch won't be be taking a pay cut.

Much as I like Matthews, I get the impression he's ambivalent about remaining with the team. For his skill set and price range, I expect a lot more in the post-season.

For two guys making so much money and knowing the regular season meant nothing and it was go deep in the playoffs or bust, they have been disappointing for 5 straight years. They will let the fans down at the end of season presser when they do not take any responsibility for the loses.

 

[MCR74]

For two guys making so much money and knowing the regular season meant nothing and it was go deep in the playoffs or bust, they have been disappointing for 5 straight years. They will let the fans down at the end of season presser when they do not take any responsibility for the loses.

Exactly, and come contract time, they won't back down either. I don't want to see Matthews on another team, but it's not like he's gangbusters in the playoffs. The excuses have to stop eventually.

 

[Nineteen67]

Which Marlie is better than Bunting and can put up 20+ goals ?? For me it will come down to his ask. Too much and agreed we go with a Marlie.

Doesn’t really matter. They need to shed all the dead weight and Bunting has proven he has no value in the playoffs, so there’s no need of keeping him around while they wait to get back in.

 

[ToneDog]

Doesn’t really matter. They need to shed all the dead weight and Bunting has proven he has no value in the playoffs, so there’s no need of keeping him around while they wait to get back in.

I'm keeping an open mind.

Knies, Bertuzzi, Bunting, McCann looks pretty good.

 

[studebaker17]

This.

I'm sure Paul will be back on the warpath when the time comes. Mitch won't be be taking a pay cut.

Much as I like Matthews, I get the impression he's ambivalent about remaining with the team. For his skill set and price range, I expect a lot more in the post-season.

I feel like mathews isn't going to age well and to me he's a high risk to be a very burdensome contract on resigning . His truly one super star skill he has is his shot and ability to score . This year he didn't show that shot very often . Without it he's not in the top 10 players in the league imo . It's probably his wrist but the risk is will it ever be good again .

As for either of them demanding more money , they may find it elsewhere or may not . Both are now in their prime but only for couple seasons max after their current contracts before they should be declining . To me the new deals just on that merit should be less as far as common sense goes .Then add in they just can't figure out to maintain their elite dominance of regular season into the playoffs it gets worse for them.
Long story short , these are feelers that need to be put forth . If the response is something you're not comfortable with then trade them.
I really doubt it'll happen by July 1st. Dubas is probably gone and a new gm hasn't been hired yet . When they do get one he'll want to do some heavy research before pulling the trigger on such a big move . That said , they're still able to trade them, just a shorter list of teams and more of the players control .

 

[BallardEra]

Have to remember that Dubas holds power here too. He may not want to extend.

Yep but I think he would want to stay and try to finish the job.

I can see Bell and Rogers totally cleaning house and getting rid of Shanahan, Dubas and Keefe.

I work for Bell but unfortunately don't hang with Mirko and get you guys any info.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

So your whole logic train is a twisted way to justify Keeping Dubas? How about this? Fire Dubas now, hire the new GM tomorrow so he can get to work.

Amazing how many threads exist now that day pretty much the same thing.

This is just a thinly veiled "Why we gotta keep Dubas" thread.

 

[MCR74]

I feel like mathews isn't going to age well and to me he's a high risk to be a very burdensome contract on resigning . His truly one super star skill he has is his shot and ability to score . This year he didn't show that shot very often . Without it he's not in the top 10 players in the league imo . It's probably his wrist but the risk is will it ever be good again .

As for either of them demanding more money , they may find it elsewhere or may not . Both are now in their prime but only for couple seasons max after their current contracts before they should be declining . To me the new deals just on that merit should be less as far as common sense goes .Then add in they just can't figure out to maintain their elite dominance of regular season into the playoffs it gets worse for them.
Long story short , these are feelers that need to be put forth . If the response is something you're not comfortable with then trade them.
I really doubt it'll happen by July 1st. Dubas is probably gone and a new gm hasn't been hired yet . When they do get one he'll want to do some heavy research before pulling the trigger on such a big move . That said , they're still able to trade them, just a shorter list of teams and more of the players control .

If he doesn't get his wrist sorted out, it'll be an expensive proposition regardless. I don't think the Leafs should chance it.

The new GM, if any, will have his work cut out. Hopefully past playoffs will be taken into consideration in regards to a new deal.

 

[sxvnert]

I can't see how MLSE can realistically afford both. If Matthews and Marner have the balls to ask for a significant increase after their pathetic performance vs. Florida, trade them.

Of course they will. Matthews demanded five years because the UFA years would be too expensive.
Marners contract fiasco was even worse. The time to move on is long overdue.

 

[ULF_55]

Just to point out, O'Rielly is 7.5 cap hit.

So it is kind of misleading to list him at his double retained cap and suggest a re-sign.

Top 50 Cap Hits

Team	Count of PLAYER	Average of CAP HIT
Toronto Maple LeafsTOR	3​	11,181,083​
Los Angeles KingsLAK	2​	10,500,000​
Montreal CanadiensMTL	1​	10,500,000​
Edmonton OilersEDM	3​	10,083,333​
New York RangersNYR	4​	10,035,714​
Chicago BlackhawksCHI	2​	10,000,000​
Florida PanthersFLA	3​	9,833,333​
San Jose SharksSJS	2​	9,818,750​
Boston BruinsBOS	1​	9,500,000​
Vegas Golden KnightsVGK	3​	9,433,333​
Washington CapitalsWSH	2​	9,350,000​
Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ	3​	9,344,444​
Dallas StarsDAL	3​	9,266,667​
Tampa Bay LightningTBL	4​	9,250,000​
Colorado AvalancheCOL	2​	9,125,000​
Buffalo SabresBUF	1​	9,000,000​
Minnesota WildMIN	1​	9,000,000​
Nashville PredatorsNSH	2​	8,779,500​
Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT	1​	8,700,000​
New Jersey DevilsNJD	2​	8,500,000​
Carolina HurricanesCAR	1​	8,460,250​
Winnipeg JetsWPG	1​	8,250,000​
Arizona CoyotesARI	1​	8,250,000​
Vancouver CanucksVAN	1​	8,250,000​
Ottawa SenatorsOTT	1​	8,205,714​
Grand Total	50​	9,496,638​

 

[Nineteen67]

I'm keeping an open mind.

Knies, Bertuzzi, Bunting, McCann looks pretty good.

Regardless Bunting has negative value. He physically cannot play in the playoffs. He’s too slow, he’s too small, he can’t defend, and his dives don’t get called.
Sign him to a two year deal at 850 to fill a roster spot, but once they get back into the playoff hunt he can’t be around.

Bertuzzi and McCann don’t play for the Leafs and they sure as hell better not even think of looking at FAs until they find a young #1 D prospect that will need a couple of years of seasoning in the NHL.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Critically important to keep:
Matthews
Marner
Dubas

Not franchise-crippling to lose, but important to keep, or re-sign if a reasonable cost
Shanahan
Keefe
Nylander
Samsonov
O'Rielly

Possible options to re-sign, if cost is reasonable:
Schenn
Acciari
Kampf
ZAR

Players that we should let walk, or will be too expensive for their role here:
Kerfoot
Holl
Bunting
Gustafsson
Simmonds

 

[kevsh]

I believe the most likely scenario is Dubas re-signs, offers Keefe as the sacrifice to appease the fanbase and MLSE, extends both Matthews and Nylander, keeps Marner obviously.

He lets most UFAs walk and buys in on signing the grit/energy players to term instead of believing they work as rentals. He'll talk about the impact of Knies, the emergence of Woll blah blah blah. Next season with renewed faith under a new coach, they come out of the gate flying.

The less jaded fans start to believe again, while the rest of us just sigh and count the days until Tavares' and Dubas' contracts are up.

 

[CaptainCrunch17]

When it comes to the core of this team, a rebuild is exactly what is needed. How many times can you change the supporting cast and come out with squat, before you turn to the “core” of the problem?

The problem with this “core “is that the moment the playoffs start the “supporting cast” becomes the “core” as the supposed core disappears.

 

[BallardEra]

If Dubas returns I'll guarantee you that it's under the conditions that Keefe is gone as is one of the core 4.

What if he says no to that?

I think Dubas simply returning is not as much of a "lock" as many think it is.

 

[geo25]

Critically important to keep:
Matthews
Marner
Dubas

Not franchise-crippling to lose, but important to keep, or re-sign if a reasonable cost
Shanahan
Keefe
Nylander
Samsonov
O'Rielly

Possible options to re-sign, if cost is reasonable:
Schenn
Acciari
Kampf
ZAR

Players that we should let walk, or will be too expensive for their role here:
Kerfoot
Holl
Bunting
Gustafsson
Simmonds

Keep Keefe??? You're not serious???