This is why sentiment around the league was miffed at the Nylander saga conclusion. You can banter all day about his comparables (which actually look better and better in the aftermath), but the bottom line is the Leafs caved. That’s how it was seen by other GM’s, how it was reported by those who actually have insider knowledge, not fans here with a point of view they wish to support.
Now, it’s easy to say the Leafs should have let Nylander sit the season. Had that happened, we wouldn’t be seeing this RFA sit out fest now. But, to be fair, it wasn’t that simple for our new GM, and he did what he felt he had to, giving us a perceived better chance last year.
Then you factor in the Matthews sweetheart deal, and the precedent is set and a new era is firmly upon us.
Perhaps the long term deals are done, we now have guys who are unproven wanting a kings ransom, keeping the term down perhaps the last team defence to offset a bad contract with a player who doesn’t earn his money.
The NHL hard cap is outdated.