I for one would be shocked.I have no idea. I don't know what they agreed to at the beginning of the contract, they certainly set it up a bit like Martin's deal. We pay a lot up front and in signing bonuses. Would any of us be *shocked* if we paid the signing bonus July 1st and Marleau's 6.25M cap hit and 1.5M salary found themselves elsewhere? Or if Marleau developed an allergy to his hair or hockey equipment?
We're also too weak on the LW to be losing Marleau. He's a great player who scored 4 goals in 7 games in the playoffs for us last year, with 27 regular season goals. I wouldn't worry about his age.
It'd be interesting to explore a trade similar to the Grabner trade, except preferably for a pick or picks coming back. Send a package of our tertiary prospects to another team that has less depth and could give these guys more of a shot.
Guys like Nielsen, Pickard, Leivo, Marincin, etc. Make some room on the Marlies for a guy like Durzi, avoid losing guys to waivers, etc.
Hyman (more ES points than Marleau last year), Johnsson, Kapanen, Leivo, Grunstrom. Each of which could put up Marleau's production given the opportunity. Fact is, we're only weak on LW (all middle sixers) in comparison to how strong we are on RW (2 1st liners, 2 middle sixers) and C (3 1st liners, 1 4th liner).
Suggesting that any of Johnsson, Kapanen, Leivo, or Grustom could put up 27 goals seems very far-fetched at this point. I really like these players, but they're all essentially rookies.
Hyman undoubtedly benefitted massively from playing with Matthews, so the "more ES points" fact is a bit misleading. And don't get me wrong, I love what Hyman brings to the team.
Point is, I don't believe we don't have anybody who can replace Marleau right now. I have hopes that Johnsson can in the future, but this season I'd say it's definitely a stretch. Next season, who knows.
Agreed and his contract dictates he's in the lineup for two more seasons.We're also too weak on the LW to be losing Marleau. He's a great player who scored 4 goals in 7 games in the playoffs for us last year, with 27 regular season goals. I wouldn't worry about his age.
It'd be interesting to explore a trade similar to the Grabner trade, except preferably for a pick or picks coming back. Send a package of our tertiary prospects to another team that has less depth and could give these guys more of a shot.
Guys like Nielsen, Pickard, Leivo, Marincin, etc. Make some room on the Marlies for a guy like Durzi, avoid losing guys to waivers, etc.
Marleau cant be bought out
At this point, I'd seriously consider something like a Nylander for Pesce trade.
We dont play meaningful hockey for over two weeks. Relax
It's not about relaxing or not. Carolina hasn't found a suitor for Faulk as of yet, so perhaps they'd be willing to listen on Pesce. Pesce is almost exactly the D we could use and is signed for six years at 4.025 per. Obviously they'd prefer to move Faulk, but maybe it's time for planB. It helps us LT with the Cap as well as being a more balanced team. It also sends a message that if you aren't willing to fit into the team cap structure, you are gone.
Marleau can be bought out, it just does the team no good because he's a 35+ contract the cap hit remains the same as it was.
However that brings up and interesting theory that I'd never thought of before that could benefit 4 different parties. Leafs pay his bonus on July 1st, then trade him to Arizona along with a 2nd/3rd for essentially nothing. Arizona then buys him out(which because of Marleau'e NMC he wouldn't have to go on waivers first so no risk of the plan being ruined) which costs them in actual money 2/3 of the remaining contract(1.25 million) over 2 years, so they pay $416,666.67 for 2 years to get a pick and have a cap hit of 6.25 million on the books to help get to the floor. Then Marleau signs a 1 year 2 million dollar contract with San Jose. The only logistical thing that would have to happen is the Coyotes would have to have an arbitration case to open up the 2nd buyout window to use post July 1st.
all 4 parties benefit
1. Coyotes are paying $833k over 2 years to get a 6.25 cap hit towards hitting the floor and getting a pick, they're happy
2. Leafs paying a pick and 3 million(who cares?) to eliminate the cap hit if necessary to retain other talent, they're happy
3. Marleau gets paid over 1.5 million more than the would have been paid by just playing out the contract, and he gets to return to San Jose to finish his career, and keeps his streak intact if it's still going after this year, he's happy
4. San Jose gets Marleau for a cheaper price which they wouldn't have been able to get by just trading for him if they retain Karlsson. They're happy
Now I'm not saying this is the plan or even likely. But it is a possible alternative where everyone benefits, and we avoid the whole, LTIR garbage, or Marleau retirement that is extremely unlikely given how fit/healthy he is and the situation in Toronto.
...wowMarleau can be bought out, it just does the team no good because he's a 35+ contract the cap hit remains the same as it was.
However that brings up and interesting theory that I'd never thought of before that could benefit 4 different parties. Leafs pay his bonus on July 1st, then trade him to Arizona along with a 2nd/3rd for essentially nothing. Arizona then buys him out(which because of Marleau'e NMC he wouldn't have to go on waivers first so no risk of the plan being ruined) which costs them in actual money 2/3 of the remaining contract(1.25 million) over 2 years, so they pay $416,666.67 for 2 years to get a pick and have a cap hit of 6.25 million on the books to help get to the floor. Then Marleau signs a 1 year 2 million dollar contract with San Jose. The only logistical thing that would have to happen is the Coyotes would have to have an arbitration case to open up the 2nd buyout window to use post July 1st.
all 4 parties benefit
1. Coyotes are paying $833k over 2 years to get a 6.25 cap hit towards hitting the floor and getting a pick, they're happy
2. Leafs paying a pick and 3 million(who cares?) to eliminate the cap hit if necessary to retain other talent, they're happy
3. Marleau gets paid over 1.5 million more than the would have been paid by just playing out the contract, and he gets to return to San Jose to finish his career, and keeps his streak intact if it's still going after this year, he's happy
4. San Jose gets Marleau for a cheaper price which they wouldn't have been able to get by just trading for him if they retain Karlsson. They're happy
Now I'm not saying this is the plan or even likely. But it is a possible alternative where everyone benefits, and we avoid the whole, LTIR garbage, or Marleau retirement that is extremely unlikely given how fit/healthy he is and the situation in Toronto.
At this point, I'd seriously consider something like a Nylander for Pesce trade.
That’s a pretty big downgrade for the leafs
Oh yeah, a big hell no to that
Lets just wait Nylander out instead of doing something stupid
Not to mention even if the Leafs WANTED to trade Nylander flipping an RFA during negotiations just before the season starts seems like a great way to get a subpar return.
Suggesting that any of Johnsson, Kapanen, Leivo, or Grustom could put up 27 goals seems very far-fetched at this point. I really like these players, but they're all essentially rookies.
Hyman undoubtedly benefitted massively from playing with Matthews, so the "more ES points" fact is a bit misleading. And don't get me wrong, I love what Hyman brings to the team.
Point is, I don't believe we don't have anybody who can replace Marleau right now. I have hopes that Johnsson can in the future, but this season I'd say it's definitely a stretch. Next season, who knows.
Yeah I can't imagine a lot of teams running towards that situation
I've read that article in the Athletic, the longer this goes the better for us