Not in the same league as those two, but a highly desirable UFA with a big price tag. Admittedly we didn't have to clear as much cap in advance, because of our stars being still on entry level contracts, but it has cost us good players after rather than before.
I'd like a proper 3C, we've spent the last 3 years forcing guys into thay role. I like Kerfoot but he's a winger who can play C, I like Kampf but he's really a high end 4C. Engvall has been used a bit, Blackwell was tried, again wingers who can play C, Jarnkrok and Gaudette seem to be C options this year and again players who are better as wingers.
I agree there would be many implications and it may not even be the best move. All I’m saying is many teams would do it for those type of rare players.
Leafs will pay Matthews whatever the max is at the time. No one else can possibly pay more.
Why? A 34 yo Kane is not that much better than a 26 yo Nylander. Nylander most likely will out-produce Kane in the next 2 NHL seasons. They're both super careful about avoiding contact. They're almost identical types of players only Kane was in a higher bracket. Kane is a player you add because you lack offense not a player to turn around a team's chemistry.
Sure... then the goalie sucks in round, we lose again, Kane walks and we are a team that has closed their window... probably resulting in Matthews leaving instead of extending. Doesn't sound very attractive to me at all.
The user's secenario is something we look at near the deadline if the goalies are good
