The problem is that they aren’t going to be able to add a Top 4 D replacement for Zaitsev for the same salary he has.
I mean you can debate their strategy of how to build a successful team all day long. It's too top-heavy for my liking. If/when Marner is signed, lots of money commited to right-shooting wingers and centers, not much invested in LWers and D.
But the cap problems are only problems when you have expensive contracts on under-performing players that you can't move when needed. I've said from the start the cap problems in TO were VASTLY overrated. The guys they want to keep long-term, they will. The issue may be that they can't add or replace what they have subtracted.
In TO's case, your looking at a loss of Marleau, Gardiner, Hainsey, and possibly Zaitsev. Not a huge loss when you consider every team loses a player or two every off-season.