Trades and UFA’s - Trade Deadline Edition

[notDatsyuk]

One interesting cap loophole may help the Leafs sign Patrick Kane to a 1-year deal​

With NHL training camps set to open this weekend, we're about to see the Patrick Kane chatter begin to pick up again. A couple of short weeks ago, Kane revealed that he would begin entertaining offers during training camp and the preseason, and there are expected to be plenty of potential suitors for the 3-time Stanley Cup champion. He may not sign, however, until November or December, as was originally projected in his 4-6 month recovery timeline.

During a recent appearance on TSN 1050, former NHLer Dave Poulin revealed that, as long as Kane is cleared to return and that his hip issues are behind him, he expects the Maple Leafs to be one of the primary teams who will look to enlist Kane's services. The problem here is that the Leafs are currently over the salary cap by nearly $3M. So how can the Leafs afford Kane if he's not willing to take a league minimum deal? Well, the answer isn't as complicated as some might think.

Kane is turning 35 years old on November 19th. If he does wish to sign in Toronto and if he opts to remain unsigned through the month of October and the front half of November, he'll be able to ink a 35+ contract as of November 19th. If he does that, the Leafs could, in theory, offer him a 35+ contract for the remainder of this season at $775K, which is the league's minimum salary, and then tack on performance bonuses.

How would this work? Well, his base salary would be $775K this season. This would remain his cap hit no matter how many performance bonuses he hit. Let's say, for example, the Leafs offered Kane his $775K salary, plus an extra $1M if he plays in at least half of their games this season (41 games). Then they could tack on an extra $1M if he reaches the 50-point plateau. Then they could tack on an extra $1M if Kane produces 20 goals. In this situation, Kane's total salary will end up being $3.775M for this season, all while carrying a $775K cap hit.

Don't the bonuses come out of next year's cap? When Matty and Willy start collecting their raises, Bert and Domi want more, and we are still carrying the albatross?

 

[Mess]

Don't the bonuses come out of next year's cap? When Matty and Willy start collecting their raises, Bert and Domi want more, and we are still carrying the albatross?

Yes any bonuses paid out will carry-over to next season IF there is no free cap space in this season BUT the salary cap is expected to rise by $4 mil also.,

 

[rojac]

One interesting cap loophole may help the Leafs sign Patrick Kane to a 1-year deal​

With NHL training camps set to open this weekend, we're about to see the Patrick Kane chatter begin to pick up again. A couple of short weeks ago, Kane revealed that he would begin entertaining offers during training camp and the preseason, and there are expected to be plenty of potential suitors for the 3-time Stanley Cup champion. He may not sign, however, until November or December, as was originally projected in his 4-6 month recovery timeline.

During a recent appearance on TSN 1050, former NHLer Dave Poulin revealed that, as long as Kane is cleared to return and that his hip issues are behind him, he expects the Maple Leafs to be one of the primary teams who will look to enlist Kane's services. The problem here is that the Leafs are currently over the salary cap by nearly $3M. So how can the Leafs afford Kane if he's not willing to take a league minimum deal? Well, the answer isn't as complicated as some might think.

Kane is turning 35 years old on November 19th. If he does wish to sign in Toronto and if he opts to remain unsigned through the month of October and the front half of November, he'll be able to ink a 35+ contract as of November 19th. If he does that, the Leafs could, in theory, offer him a 35+ contract for the remainder of this season at $775K, which is the league's minimum salary, and then tack on performance bonuses.

How would this work? Well, his base salary would be $775K this season. This would remain his cap hit no matter how many performance bonuses he hit. Let's say, for example, the Leafs offered Kane his $775K salary, plus an extra $1M if he plays in at least half of their games this season (41 games). Then they could tack on an extra $1M if he reaches the 50-point plateau. Then they could tack on an extra $1M if Kane produces 20 goals. In this situation, Kane's total salary will end up being $3.775M for this season, all while carrying a $775K cap hit.

A 35+ contract is defined as one where the player is 35+ as of June 30 of the first contract year. Kane will not be eligible for such a deal until next season.

 

[rojac]

Yes any bonuses paid out will carry-over to next season IF there is no free cap space in this season BUT the salary cap is expected to rise by $4 mil also.,

The cap is expected to go up 4 million. 1.6 of that goes to Matthews' raise. If they keep Nylander, that's peobably another 1.5-2.5 gone. But it's a moot point regarding Kane as he's not eligible for such a deal.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Yes any bonuses paid out will carry-over to next season IF there is no free cap space in this season BUT the salary cap is expected to rise by $4 mil also.,

A $4M increase will barely cover Matty's and Willy's raises.

 

[Menzinger]

Anyone think Treliving has a move up his sleeve before the season starts or is the roster pretty much set before camp even opens?

The only thing I'm potentially expecting is a Timmins trade. Otherwise I think the regular season roster is close to set other than which lines the new wingers + Knies will settle into

 

[ACC1224]

The only thing I'm potentially expecting is a Timmins trade. Otherwise I think the regular season roster is close to set other than which lines the new wingers + Knies will settle into

I’d be surprised and disappointed if they moved him but they do have limited options

 

[Thornbury]

A $4M increase will barely cover Matty's and Willy's raises.

They also have about $20 million in expiring contracts to play with in the next off season.

 

[notDatsyuk]

They also have about $20 million in expiring contracts to play with in the next off season.

And about $20M in players they will have to re-sign or replace.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Do people think Nylander will be retained as an own rental or are they going to try to fit him in?

I'm not sure how they fit him in at 10 million especially knowing what Marner will ask for given Matthews and Nylander (potential) new contracts.

 

[rumman]

Do people think Nylander will be retained as an own rental or are they going to try to fit him in?

I'm not sure how they fit him in at 10 million especially knowing what Marner will ask for given Matthews and Nylander (potential) new contracts.

He’ll be traded, no way he walks for nothing imo. Tre won’t let that happen again, he’ll trade 88 for help on the backend which is sorely needed…………

 

[Ziggdiezan]

He’ll be traded, no way he walks for nothing imo. Tre won’t let that happen again, he’ll trade 88 for help on the backend which is sorely needed…………

With so many teams fighting for cap space I figured a trade will be quite difficult, especially an in season trade so time is kind of running out. Not sure leafs will win a Nylander trade but I get not wanting him to walk for free

 

[rumman]

With so many teams fighting for cap space I figured a trade will be quite difficult, especially an in season trade so time is kind of running out. Not sure leafs will win a Nylander trade but I get not wanting him to walk for free

Injuries equal opportunities, so do slow starts by teams with great expectations, 88 will be traded and the return will be more than fair, book it……..

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Injuries equal opportunities, so do slow starts by teams with great expectations, 88 will be traded and the return will be more than fair, book it……..

That is fair, can't see Nylander traded for a package of prospects/futures so it will have to bring back an impact player who can contribute now. If they don't retain Brodie or Klingberg next year they won't have many RD options so could be a good position to target.

 

[tmlfan98]

Do people think Nylander will be retained as an own rental or are they going to try to fit him in?

I'm not sure how they fit him in at 10 million especially knowing what Marner will ask for given Matthews and Nylander (potential) new contracts.

If you ignore the fact that the Leafs organization has choking in their DNA from top to bottom, pretty much any playoff contender (which the Leafs would be considered as if you ignore the rot in the organizational DNA) would be lining up for a rental like Nylander at the trade deadline.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

If you ignore the fact that the Leafs organization has choking in their DNA from top to bottom, pretty much any playoff contender (which the Leafs would be considered as if you ignore the rot in the organizational DNA) would be lining up for a rental like Nylander at the trade deadline.

Do you think this management will sell at the deadline even if they are in the playoffs picture? Perhaps due to getting burned previously in Calgary but I don't know

 

[Da Cool Rula]

He's been an NHL regular for years, he's clearly not a failed player.

Didn’t he have some chemistry with JT when they were on the Isle together?

 

[Menzinger]

That is fair, can't see Nylander traded for a package of prospects/futures so it will have to bring back an impact player who can contribute now. If they don't retain Brodie or Klingberg next year they won't have many RD options so could be a good position to target.

Though a team most interested in Nylander likely isn't going to want to trade an impact player; ie a team trying to win this season (the type by far most interested in Nylander) isn't going to give up a top 4 rhd for example. Similar guys like Fiala tend to go fo futures.

It's this context why personally think the safe bet is to expect an extension rather than trade.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Leafs twitter really dropping these easy low ball joke offerings.

"Leafs practising on their second round playoffs already."

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Though a team most interested in Nylander likely isn't going to want to trade an impact player; ie a team trying to win this season (the type by far most interested in Nylander) isn't going to give up a top 4 rhd for example. Similar guys like Fiala tend to go fo futures.

It's this context why personally think the safe bet is to expect an extension rather than trade.

Ya that make sense and I agree but perhaps if the team that is trading for Nylander are trying to tie him down to a long term contract they may be willing to give up an impact player, I.e. a retool situation.

If the leafs do resign Nylander they can't give him too much protection clauses, especially a full NTC/NMC.

 

[Rob Brown]

""

Leafs twitter really dropping these easy low ball joke offerings.

"Leafs practising on their second round playoffs already."

Same as all the usual crowd on the main boards here - they just have to inject the Leafs into every thread even if it's unrelated, but then whine about all the attention the Leafs get even though they contribute to it.

 

[tmlfan98]

Do you think this management will sell at the deadline even if they are in the playoffs picture? Perhaps due to getting burned previously in Calgary but I don't know

The Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk line was one of the best 5v5 lines in hockey before Gaudreau left. No GM in their right mind would break up a dominant 5v5 line like that just because Gaudreau was undecided. Obviously we know now that he left, but at the time it wasn't a certainty or even likelihood in any specific direction. Tkachuk was moved as a reactionary measure after Gaudreau left because Flames ownership didn't wanna get burned again and lose another franchise cornerstone for nothing. If Gaudreau stayed though they would have walked Tkachuk straight to UFA status to keep that line together for more seasons.

So to answer your question, what player have the Leafs ever lost in FA under Shanahan that was at the level of a player like Gaudreau and also was a long tenured member of the club like Gaudreau was with the Flames? The answer, if you go by the club's official top 100 players list, is JVR. The Leafs basically knew he would be an own-rental the entire time because they didn't want to re-sign a garbage 5v5 powerplay specialist to the overpayment he was going to get in FA.

Nylander is just miles ahead of JVR in terms of 5v5 play, and if Shanahan wants to long play it with Nylander they will hold onto him. Not as an own-rental in the JVR sense of they know they won't re-sign him, but in the sense of they will take it to June 30th 2024 if that's how long negotiations take. Trading Nylander just to avoid risking losing him for nothing moves the team further away from cup contention because you aren't winning any Nylander trade in the short term.

 

[Avilaj07]

I know it's rare to see teams within the same division make a blockbuster deal but with Ottawa looking at moving Pinto, I'd wonder if there's a blockbuster we could make there.

To Toronto-
Pinto
Batherson
Zub

To Ottawa-
Nylander
Brodie
Robertson

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Domi-Tavares-Batherson
Knies- Pinto-Jarnkrok
Reaves-Kampf-Lafferty

Rielly-Zub
McCabe-Klingberg
Benoit-Liljegren
Giordano

 

[notDatsyuk]

I know it's rare to see teams within the same division make a blockbuster deal but with Ottawa looking at moving Pinto, I'd wonder if there's a blockbuster we could make there.

To Toronto-
Pinto
Batherson
Zub

To Ottawa-
Nylander
Brodie
Robertson

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Domi-Tavares-Batherson
Knies- Pinto-Jarnkrok
Reaves-Kampf-Lafferty

Rielly-Zub
McCabe-Klingberg
Benoit-Liljegren
Giordano

I think I broke something laughing.

 

[mydnyte]

I know it's rare to see teams within the same division make a blockbuster deal but with Ottawa looking at moving Pinto, I'd wonder if there's a blockbuster we could make there.

To Toronto-
Pinto
Batherson
Zub

To Ottawa-
Nylander
Brodie
Robertson

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Marner
Domi-Tavares-Batherson
Knies- Pinto-Jarnkrok
Reaves-Kampf-Lafferty

Rielly-Zub
McCabe-Klingberg
Benoit-Liljegren
Giordano

you just put Ottawa into the playoffs