The media articles I have read are already circling the wagon about the reality that the most mocked franchise in sports has no ability to move ANY of the core. I now see such comments such as "how will the core be more accountable under Berube".
Oh my. Let's try this again and laugh at the intelligence of the Leafs fan base, not a bad approach really as Leaf fans are among the least impressive in terms of how gullible they are.
Expect the same team to be trotted out. Expect the same team to fail when it matters. That is the frightening reality the less naive in the fan base face.
These changes should have been made when the opportunity was there. Whoever was resistant to these change after so many years of failure is the person responsible for the global mockery this franchise and its fans ensure. You'd have to be a tough kid to wear a Leafs jersey to school nowadays.
Now, if I am the GM, it's quite simple. I make those who are no longer going to be a part of the Leafs future aware that "we need your ice time for younger players such as Knies, McMann etc. You WILL be seeing far less PP minutes and ice time this season. It's not personal, it's just business. You have a NMC and that's fine, you don't want to waive. We have a franchise to build for the future."
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Churchill had to sink French naval ships and betray an ally because of the fear the Germans would take these naval ships and attack the British. It was an excruciatingly difficult decision but he couldn't trust the French navy to destroy their ships as they promised if Germany overran them.
So, with that extreme analogy used, you have to do what is best for your team and its future accepting that some players will not be a part of it. Let these players know, in no uncertain terms. If they are eligible for assignment to the minors, Leafs need to explore that too, even if it costs them a win or two. Maybe there is a clause where if they violate their contract they can be traded (if they refuse to report to the Marlies for example).
If they don't do this they are waving the white flags to the fans. This team desperately needs the cap space. They will have 4 of the top 15 cap eaters this year, all forwards. 4 of 15! On one team!?!?
Now, if you are Marner for instance, your maximum contract extension options are for this year and this year only. Leafs can sign you for eight years and trade you to one of the teams who so very much wants you. If you decide you don't want the deal than the Leafs HAVE to cut his playing time.
He will then negotiate a shorter contract as a UFA with a 75 point season behind him. That should cost him at least $2M per year with a seven year max, no? Maybe even much more.
This isn't about being vicious. Marner has been paid over $54M dollars thus far, all U.S dollars by the way, with $11M more to arrive and the Leafs have exactly one playoff round of success. This isn't a Sundin who played with nobodies and still carried the team on his back to Final Fours, this is a player, who isn't alone in these miserable failures by the way; who didn't get it done. Whether it be Tavares or Reilly, the situation is the same.
This ownership group has to decide "do we want to sell jerseys or win a Cup"?
As Bryan Hayes said and I concur regarding Leaf changes, "I will believe it when I see it".
Call it constructive trade tactics. They are very, very well paid for this inconvenience. I give money to the homeless often, there is no need for multi millionaires chasing a puck to be given special treatment. They are employees, the owners have to guide the ship.
If they aren't finding creative ways to convince a player to waive their NMC then they aren't trying hard enough, or simply don't truly care enough.