"He's one of the world's best talents, and in the situation he's in, he could have come in and demanded more than he got ... To me it was a partnership more than a negotiation."
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) August 25, 2023
-- #Leafsforever GM Treliving re Matthews
Expanded
Brad Treliving on Auston Matthews: "You're talking about one of the world's best talents. And in the situation he was in, he could come in and demand a whole lot more than what he got. And that's just the reality.... To me, it was a partnership more than it was a negotiation."
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) August 25, 2023
Brad Treliving is an idiot.
The Leafs have just blown another year of their superstars' careers through salary cap mismanagement. The team is built the same as the last few that flamed out in the 1st (or 2nd) rounds of the playoffs except they are relying on an even more unproven goalie...and it isn't getting any better according to rumors where Treliving is trying to sign Nylander (instead of trading him).
This year seems set for the Leafs so I will focus on next season:
Under contract 24-25
Matthews 13.250 M (thru summer '28)
Tavares 11.0 M (expiring)
Rielly 7.5 M (thru summer '29)
Kampf 2.4 M (thru summer '27)
Jarnkrok 2.1 M (thru summer '26)
McCabe 2.0 M (expiring)
Reaves 1.35 M (thru summer '26)
Timmins 1.10 M (RFA after)
Knies 0.925 (RFA after)
Pontus 0.800 (RFA after)
Woll 0.767 (RFA after)
That's $43.192M for 11 players (with another 9 players needed for minimum roster). Cap is expect to go up 4M to 87.5M. That leaves 44.308M left. However, when Marner is said to want 13M and Nylander is said to want 10M that leaves $21.308M and they need a 2nd a whole line LW, C, RW, a top pair RHD, a 2nd pair RHD, a 3rd pair RHD, a backup (or starter depending on Woll's progress) goalie MINIMUM.
Those empty positions cost $26.88M currently. With the cap going up, it's unlikely the players are wiling to take less. In other words, it can't be done. And unlike the past few years, the Leafs have traded away recent first round picks meaning there aren't ELC guys coming up and balancing those top contracts.
The solution that seems most logical is parting with Nylander. Except the time to trade him for value is before this season begins. This gets more difficult with each passing day. What would make Teliving an absolute moron is if he lost another forward to UFA after losing Gaudreau in similar style just a season ago.
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