I think our cap problems are sometimes underestimated. I'm not seeing a way of signing Marner + Johnsson + Kapanen unless there are some serious cuts made elsewhere.
The Leafs can sign all their RFAs the summer. It's just they won't be able to retain everyone. If Marleau stays, I figure it's about 7m in cap space this has to move. And as you suggest, I think it's Nylander that goes. Leafs have wingers to take his place. Trades aren't easy when no money is returned....so the trade would be pick/prospects. IMO the return is going to very low.....maybe a second rounder would be the best offer. But that's part of the cost of having high priced "stars" and also signing Tavares for free.
PS. It is no really cap hell when you are able to trade players and be cap compliant. Cap hell is when you have give up big sweetener in a trade, having to buyout players or have lot of retained money on traded players.....that's cap hell.
Because we would not part with what you would want. And this UFA summer for forwards is gonna be absolutely bonkers.
Duchene, Panarin, Dzingel, Stone, Skinner, Eberle etc
Along with old Rangers players like Zuccarello, Hayes, Hagelin and Brassard that could possibly bring some dept alongside leadership.
Even as a fellow Swede, i dont think William is worth his contract, and i would not like if Rangers parted with any future picks or prospects.
If you grab Mark Staal, Brendan Smith and Belesky i would consider it.
nope.
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1. Two w/Toronto
A.
Staal, 5.7 [50% retained] x 2 = 2.85 for Marleau, 6.25 expiring
instant cap relief for Leafs w/Staal able to be bought out cheap
trade him at half and cap hit is minuscule 1.425
Rangers can hold onto Marleau as a useful stopgap, or if he prefers, deal him as an expiring rental
cap dif is min 6.25 - 2.85 = 3.4 instant minimal relief to Leafs, with options for more cap savings
B.
Georgiev .7925m expiring elc + Namest 4.0 at half retained = 2m expiring + Strome 3.1 expiring + Rangers 2019 early 2nd
total cap is ballpark 6.8925+
for
Nylander 6.9 +Liljigren, elc .894,166 = 7.794,166
this is another ballpark 1m cap savings
total cap relief to TOR both deals = 3.4 instant + 1 = 4.4m immediate cap savings
with more cap recovery possible depending on if/when/how Staal moved/bought out, etc.
Analysis:
Leafs might get lucky, but do not seem to have enough netminder quality to win it all. Georgiev totally stoned them, has emerged, and on an elc, so he is cost controlled for the immediate future. If all things were equal, Rangers, making room for Shesty to join Hank, should deal him out of conference. Thus, Leafs have to step up with return. Stopgaps are Strome (finally found game with NYR) and Namest (overpriced at 4 but nice for depth at 2). Early Ranger 2nd get TOR a pick w/in top 40. A huge consideration, obviously, is the cap space needed to make Marner a happy camper; this deal achieves that, Leafs effectively repurpose star quality F into need area G, with some depth; prospect Liljigren a throw in.
Rangers repurpose depth for righty F add.
