I feel sorry for Nonis, however a compliance buyout of Liles would have made things a little bit brighter cap wise, with a regular buyout of Komisarek to follow creating more cap space and for a longer period of time. That's certainly what I would have done in his position, but that is also based on not having the opportunity to talk to other GM to know what might be available as options to move players without buyouts.
2 buyouts in one year is rare for any team to be in that bad a cap situation, but 3 buyouts (2 X compliance & 1 regular one) is unheard of, for any GM trying to dig himself out of the mess he inherited.
Nonis is doing the best he can, playing the poor hand he was dealt. In Nonis we trust, and I'm sure he has something up his sleeve to get the Leafs under the cap ceiling by seasons start. Maybe a big trade is coming !!!
Well the choice of how he used his buy-outs fits to what he has been saying about being patient i think. Liles is a effective PMD that is somewhat insulated by Carlyles system and Komisarek was not ever going to play here again for whatever reason.
Komisarek/Grabo are a zero cap hit right now,Scrivens,Frattin,Armstrong,and Tucker are gone next year leaving the team clear of buy0out money owing next season. I think the way it was done was more in preparing for next season.
Thats like the ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure analogy at work.
The cap goes up next year i'm guessing here:$5,000,000 to $7,000,000 calculating in the Coyotes sale(finally) New owners possibly scooping up the Devils,the positive comeback after the lockout and TV contracts.
We have 8 NHL quality UFA's next year and 9 if Franson signs a 1year deal. I would list them but everyone knows capgeek.
Next year our cap position should improve. Phaneuf is already (i would think) already as high as he will get in terms of contract money at $6,500,000. I wouldn't pay him more than that again(and i like him).
Kessel deserves what he can get approx $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 more. Phaneuf's money might be right off the board if they decide to let him walk.It is our position of depth after all. How much will Gardiner be worth if this is his year where he developes nicely(which he will
)
Anyways Mess i'm starting to get really indepth and i know you understand this stuff better than i do.
The trade possibility that if it is there is most likely not for Liles.