Maple Leafs 2018 - 19

Sparks will be gone after this year. They won't be able to afford a new contract for him as a back-up.

Sparks is R.F.A. after this season. His next contract will be in the $800K to $1.2Mm range.
If Dubas & the Leafs want him back, he'll return.
 
Well, well, well, Marleau has a good game. Hainsey played more than Muzzin. Muzzin looks like Hainsey out there. Babs likes Hainsey so I can see why he likes Muzzin. It's his first game as a Leaf. Give him a few games.

Certainly with a salary cap money is a big factor. Hainsey can still help the Leafs as a bottom pairing PK specialist at his advanced age. He would need to take a pay cut with a reduced role to stay.
 
At least they got a point out of that sorry effort last night.

Looking at their schedule for February, the Leafs have an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the Boston/Montreals.
 
3 points in the last 2 games. Not bad all.

Kapenan saves an icing.

After his one and only good game before the all-star break, Nylander has gone MIA/AWOlL again. Please don't say he needs time to get into game shape.
 
Sparks looked good. Looked like a different goalie. Early in the season he looked super hyper. Very calm and let the puck hit him or his glove.
 
3 points in the last 2 games. Not bad all.

Kapenan saves an icing.

After his one and only good game before the all-star break, Nylander has gone MIA/AWOlL again. Please don't say he needs time to get into game shape.

Nobody knows. When he waffed at thatonetimer, I knew it had to be him.
 
After watching the Detroit and Pittsburgh games it appears that teams are stacking the blueline and intercepting the Leaf passes as they try to gain the zone. Last night one of the goals they scored was a directly related to dumping the puck in and chasing it down. They have the speed to do this so I am surprised they are not doing it more and backing the defense up (which would give them more space to crry it over the line).
 
Sparks made some money saves against the Pens, looks like he'll be the backup to Andersen for awhile.

Muzzin looked bewildered against the Wings, vast improvement against the Pens.
 
Stretch passes are Leafs way to beat the trap. Very effective. How often do you see Leafs get trapped in neutral zone and puck heads back the other way on an odd man rush.

One play they trapped Dermott as he was carrying it in the neutral zone while his mates were changing. Forced him to ice it. If he carried it and lost it odd man rush the other way.

Muzzin played a different style in LA. No stretch passes but D to D. Once he gets use to Leafs ways it'll be all natural. He is smart hockey player
 
Stretch passes are Leafs way to beat the trap. Very effective. How often do you see Leafs get trapped in neutral zone and puck heads back the other way on an odd man rush.

One play they trapped Dermott as he was carrying it in the neutral zone while his mates were changing. Forced him to ice it. If he carried it and lost it odd man rush the other way.

Muzzin played a different style in LA. No stretch passes but D to D. Once he gets use to Leafs ways it'll be all natural. He is smart hockey player

At best the stretch passes only work one third of the time. Our speed should be able to break the neutral zone trap.
 
Rumor is Austen Matthews extended for 5 years at $11.6M AAV.
If he gets that much Marner is surely up for +10M per season.
That cap is getting tighter and tighter.
 
Rumor is Austen Matthews extended for 5 years at $11.6M AAV.
If he gets that much Marner is surely up for +10M per season.
That cap is getting tighter and tighter.
93% of it is being paid as a signing bonus.

What are the implications when it is paid that way? Is it more advantageous for one side than the other, only one side benefits or pretty good benefits for both. Cap implications? In the unlikely event he is traded, how would it affect that transaction? Does the structure somehow give them more money to work with when it comes to Marner?
 
93% of it is being paid as a signing bonus.

What are the implications when it is paid that way? Is it more advantageous for one side than the other, only one side benefits or pretty good benefits for both. Cap implications? In the unlikely event he is traded, how would it affect that transaction? Does the structure somehow give them more money to work with when it comes to Marner?
I believe bonus money must be paid out even if there is a work stoppage.
 
Not surprised Matthews signed for only 5 years. Now he will become an UFA at age 26.
 
This is a very good deal for Matthews - almost the best possible outcome from his perspective.
I’m dying to see what the math will look like once Marner is signed.
Add up their top five contracts and... yeezuz, how is this going to work?

Someone, and by that I mean a top player or two are going to have to be moved. Obviously not Matthews, Marner, Tavares or Nylander. Although most probably feel like trading the Willy at the moment. Gardiner will be gone at the end of the year.