2024-25 General Trades and Signings

[Andy007]

https://twitter.com/bruinsbenders/status/1828101614345109713
Yes they should absolutely sign him to 10+M. See the last goalie that did it won the Stanley Cup!

Most games played in a season 44... sounds like a contract the Leafs would offer.

Based on what exactly?

Marner (aka "a God") cannot contribute in the playoffs and is overpaid.

Matthews got top dollar and a short-term twice, no one has ever gotten paid so much on a shorter-term contract.

Tavares was #2 paid in the league only behind McDavid when signed.

Nylander got paid on projection, not on production (half a season at a career-high pace), Nylander's previous contract was higher than all his 60-point-peers.

Ugh. I know this is beating a dead horse but no Leaf player has more playoff points as a member of the Maple Leafs than Mitch Marner.

This is just an aside, partly because of the whole horse beating thing and partly because there is alot of hyperbole regarding Marner's contributions, but I thought it was interesting to look at the playoff numbers for the "top 4"

MARNER:  11 goals 50 points in 57 games 21:46 ATOI
MATTHEWS: 23 goals 48 points in 55 games 21:30 ATOI
NYLANDER: 20 goals 43 points in 54 games 18:11 ATOI
TAVARES:  12 goals 24 points in 38 games 19:02 ATOI

Marner has the most points, but also the most games played and highest average ice time. He has less goals than Tavares in 50% more games played (and nearly 3 minutes more ice time per game). Also his linemates (i.e Matthews) are much more beneficial to his stats than the linemates of the latter two on that list. Interesting, and just kinda frustrating to see the scoring struggles this team has in the post season.

 

[princedpw]

Ugh. I know this is beating a dead horse but no Leaf player has more playoff points as a member of the Maple Leafs than Mitch Marner.

Marner: coming back from injury, clearly still being bothered by it and has a rough first round - soft and useless get rid of him.

Draisaitl: clearly has an injury in the finals, has 0 goals and 2 points in 7 games - no big deal, sign him to an extension immediately.

Comical comparison, Draisaitl versus Marner in the playoffs...

I?m clearly comparing the situation and reaction. Not the player.

The broader situation is that Draisaitl has a long track record of being one of the best point producers in the playoffs and Marner does not.  (A very quick Google search suggests 1.46ppg for Draisaitl, overproducing for his salary and relative to his regular season play vs 0.88ppg for Marner, underproducing for his salary and his regular season play).

Still, I agree that Marner is being treated unfairly.  I'm hoping he destroys the league this year and carries it into the playoffs, leading to many victories.  I will cheer him on all the way regardless of what happens.  Then I'd likely pay him his market price after the season ends, assuming it doesn't end in another catastrophe.  But I'd stop worrying about what I'm going to pay him or how much he is worth until after next year's playoffs are over.

 

[princedpw]

https://twitter.com/bruinsbenders/status/1828101614345109713
Yes they should absolutely sign him to 10+M. See the last goalie that did it won the Stanley Cup!

Most games played in a season 44... sounds like a contract the Leafs would offer.

Based on what exactly?

Marner (aka "a God") cannot contribute in the playoffs and is overpaid.

Matthews got top dollar and a short-term twice, no one has ever gotten paid so much on a shorter-term contract.

Tavares was #2 paid in the league only behind McDavid when signed.

Nylander got paid on projection, not on production (half a season at a career-high pace), Nylander's previous contract was higher than all his 60-point-peers.

Ugh. I know this is beating a dead horse but no Leaf player has more playoff points as a member of the Maple Leafs than Mitch Marner.

This is just an aside, partly because of the whole horse beating thing and partly because there is alot of hyperbole regarding Marner's contributions, but I thought it was interesting to look at the playoff numbers for the "top 4"

MARNER:  11 goals 50 points in 57 games 21:46 ATOI
MATTHEWS: 23 goals 48 points in 55 games 21:30 ATOI
NYLANDER: 20 goals 43 points in 54 games 18:11 ATOI
TAVARES:  12 goals 24 points in 38 games 19:02 ATOI

Marner has the most points, but also the most games played and highest average ice time. He has less goals than Tavares in 50% more games played (and nearly 3 minutes more of ice time per game). Also his linemates (i.e Matthews) are much more beneficial to his stats than the linemates of the latter two on that list. Interesting, and just kinda frustrating to see the scoring struggles this team has in the post season.

The stats suggest it isn't specifically Marner, it's that collectively these 4 guys aren't scoring enough.  We need 3 of them to be averaging over a ppg for the leafs to look good.  It is unfair that Marner is getting all the flak for the collective failure.  And because it is all of them, maybe just maybe the issue was coaching.  Let's hope that's it. 

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/bruinsbenders/status/1828101614345109713
Yes they should absolutely sign him to 10+M. See the last goalie that did it won the Stanley Cup!

Most games played in a season 44... sounds like a contract the Leafs would offer.

Based on what exactly?

Marner (aka "a God") cannot contribute in the playoffs and is overpaid.

Matthews got top dollar and a short-term twice, no one has ever gotten paid so much on a shorter-term contract.

Tavares was #2 paid in the league only behind McDavid when signed.

Nylander got paid on projection, not on production (half a season at a career-high pace), Nylander's previous contract was higher than all his 60-point-peers.

Ugh. I know this is beating a dead horse but no Leaf player has more playoff points as a member of the Maple Leafs than Mitch Marner.

This is just an aside, partly because of the whole horse beating thing and partly because there is alot of hyperbole regarding Marner's contributions, but I thought it was interesting to look at the playoff numbers for the "top 4"

MARNER:  11 goals 50 points in 57 games 21:46 ATOI
MATTHEWS: 23 goals 48 points in 55 games 21:30 ATOI
NYLANDER: 20 goals 43 points in 54 games 18:11 ATOI
TAVARES:  12 goals 24 points in 38 games 19:02 ATOI

Marner has the most points, but also the most games played and highest average ice time. He has less goals than Tavares in 50% more games played (and nearly 3 minutes more of ice time per game). Also his linemates (i.e Matthews) are much more beneficial to his stats than the linemates of the latter two on that list. Interesting, and just kinda frustrating to see the scoring struggles this team has in the post season.

The stats suggest it isn't specifically Marner, it's that collectively these 4 guys aren't scoring enough.  We need 3 of them to be averaging over a ppg for the leafs to look good.  It is unfair that Marner is getting all the flak for the collective failure.  And because it is all of them, maybe just maybe the issue was coaching.  Let's hope that's it. 

I am sorry I opened the Marner can of worm

Ugh. I know this is beating a dead horse but no Leaf player has more playoff points as a member of the Maple Leafs than Mitch Marner.

Marner: coming back from injury, clearly still being bothered by it and has a rough first round - soft and useless get rid of him.

Draisaitl: clearly has an injury in the finals, has 0 goals and 2 points in 7 games - no big deal, sign him to an extension immediately.

Comical comparison, Draisaitl versus Marner in the playoffs...

I?m clearly comparing the situation and reaction. Not the player.

Still, I agree that Marner is being treated unfairly.  I'm hoping he destroys the league this year and carries it into the playoffs, leading to many victories.

Me too! It would be the best possible outcome.

Yes, all 4 could be better in the playoffs but only Marner's contract is up for renewal. Sorry, I poked the Marner bear.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

The signings are justifiable at their time of signing. What the front office should have done was bet earlier and make perceived overpays a year in advance (Nylander and Marner specifically), which would've been less than what they signed for due to waiting.

7x7 for Nylander in the 2018 offseason would've looked a bit kookie, but without the hold out, Nylander blows it out of the water immediately.

8x9M for Marner before he played with Tavares would've looked a touch crazy that summer, and then would've looked amazing the rest of the way.

It's how you get 8x9 - 8x12 for Draistl/Eichel/McDavid

Great concept, do we have indication that either of these players would have signed these?

For example, my recollection of the Nylander signing was there were 2 sources of outrage at the time of the signing:
1) Nylander's refusal to sign a bridge deal, which was still the norm at the time and
2) that he had the temerity to want for more than Pastrnak
I wouldn't swear to it, but I also recall that the Nylander camp opened negotiation at something like $8M+ on a long term deal.

With Marner, isn't one of the baying mob's many charges that Marner and agent Ferris are out to extort every penny and pound of flesh our poor franchise might possess? Had he'd been on 8 x $9M (in retrospect, we had all anchored ourselves far too low with all these negotiations), then I'm sure you're right, inevitable early misgivings would have evaporated by now. But again, I find myself doubting this was possible.

I'm going from memory, so if you can point me to anything which says Nylander and Marner would have signed these deals I will happily grant that not taking this approach was an opportunity missed. (and btw, I think the concept is a good one, and would like to see the Leafs try it with Knies)

 

[herman]

Great concept, do we have indication that either of these players would have signed these?

For example, my recollection of the Nylander signing was there were 2 sources of outrage at the time of the signing:
1) Nylander's refusal to sign a bridge deal, which was still the norm at the time and
2) that he had the temerity to want for more than Pastrnak
I wouldn't swear to it, but I also recall that the Nylander camp opened negotiation at something like $8M+ on a long term deal.

With Marner, isn't one of the baying mob's many charges that Marner and agent Ferris are out to extort every penny and pound of flesh our poor franchise might possess? Had he'd been on 8 x $9M (in retrospect, we had all anchored ourselves far too low with all these negotiations), then I'm sure you're right, inevitable early misgivings would have evaporated by now. But again, I find myself doubting this was possible.

I'm going from memory, so if you can point me to anything which says Nylander and Marner would have signed these deals I will happily grant that not taking this approach was an opportunity missed. (and btw, I think the concept is a good one, and would like to see the Leafs try it with Knies)

You?re right. Nylander was looking for term and just enough to make him not trade bait. He signed for 6x6.9M after the initial high ask of 8M, while Dubas countered with something like a high 5M, which is why I?m guessing 7x7 would?ve done the trick.

There was a rumour that Marner?s camp opened with an 8x9M ask in 2018 that Dubas naturally balked at (he was coming off 61 & 69 pts and that was basically Draisaitl+ money). Probably could?ve signed him for that exact deal 8x8.5M.

Of course all of that would have impacted the Tavares pitch (maybe it should have?).

 

[IJustLurkHere]

Great concept, do we have indication that either of these players would have signed these?

For example, my recollection of the Nylander signing was there were 2 sources of outrage at the time of the signing:
1) Nylander's refusal to sign a bridge deal, which was still the norm at the time and
2) that he had the temerity to want for more than Pastrnak
I wouldn't swear to it, but I also recall that the Nylander camp opened negotiation at something like $8M+ on a long term deal.

With Marner, isn't one of the baying mob's many charges that Marner and agent Ferris are out to extort every penny and pound of flesh our poor franchise might possess? Had he'd been on 8 x $9M (in retrospect, we had all anchored ourselves far too low with all these negotiations), then I'm sure you're right, inevitable early misgivings would have evaporated by now. But again, I find myself doubting this was possible.

I'm going from memory, so if you can point me to anything which says Nylander and Marner would have signed these deals I will happily grant that not taking this approach was an opportunity missed. (and btw, I think the concept is a good one, and would like to see the Leafs try it with Knies)

You?re right. Nylander was looking for term and just enough to make him not trade bait. He signed for 6x6.9M after the initial high ask of 8M, while Dubas countered with something like a high 5M, which is why I?m guessing 7x7 would?ve done the trick.

There was a rumour that Marner?s camp opened with an 8x9M ask in 2018 that Dubas naturally balked at (he was coming off 61 & 69 pts and that was basically Draisaitl+ money). Probably could?ve signed him for that exact deal 8x8.5M.

Of course all of that would have impacted the Tavares pitch (maybe it should have?).

I'd love a window into the alternate world where Nylander signs that deal (Assuming Nylander signs it, which isn't a small assumption).

Just looking at the timeline, Nylander actually signed at end of November 2018 (right up against the wire as the story goes, with Nylander himself being the one who blinked). Kyle Dubas was named Leafs GM in May 2018, so for this kind of predictive approach to have been taken, we would have need Lou Lamoriello to be the one who offered it.

Which, since I'm riffing, would likely have been played out that the boy wonder AGM Kyle Dubas was pulling the strings and making big moves, skipping a bridge deal with Nylander - how would this impact other negotiations? *gasp* - especially when Dubas then gets named full GM.

It would have been bold. At the very least it would have played very differently to the eventual, passive approach. Which wasn't necessarily avoidable (the other side of the "Leafs have contributed to escalating salaries" coin is that the Leafs have had star players who have contributed to raising salaries because they're really, really good, and they have all the leverage)... and wouldn't necessarily have taken us to a terribly different place (one more year of Nylander?) but was still a terrible narrative.

At the least, it makes you wonder. What opportunities are there to be bold with the salary structure right now? 

 

[Arn]

Draisaitl signs...

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/edmonton-oilers-sign-leon-draisaitl-to-eight-year-112m-extension-1.2168722

 

[cabber24]

8 years!... if I compare this to Leaf contracts everyone will jump all over me so I won't. EIGHT... EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! EIGHT!

 

[OldTimeHockey]

8 years!... if I compare this to Leaf contracts everyone will jump all over me so I won't. EIGHT... EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! EIGHT!

If the Leafs had signed this contract you'd be complaining that it was the highest contract in the NHL and that it wasn't 9 years.

 

[cabber24]

8 years!... if I compare this to Leaf contracts everyone will jump all over me so I won't. EIGHT... EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! EIGHT!

If the Leafs had signed this contract you'd be complaining that it was the highest contract in the NHL and that it wasn't 9 years.

Untrue, just tired of consistently having contract outliers.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

8 years!... if I compare this to Leaf contracts everyone will jump all over me so I won't. EIGHT... EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! EIGHT!

If the Leafs had signed this contract you'd be complaining that it was the highest contract in the NHL and that it wasn't 9 years.

Untrue, just tired of consistently having contract outliers.

Why? Outliers aren't inherently bad things. As some feedback - and this is just me personally, so take fwiw - when I read your arguments, I keep thinking they're halfway there.

For example, you strongly dislike the Leafs cap structure. Your argument as I've seen it is that it's bad because it's an outlier. i.e. "The Leafs have an outlier cap structure and that makes winning the cup impossible." You've even posted numbers demonstrating the cap structure is an outlier. I can't recall exactly, but the Leafs have something like 57-59% of their cap tied up in five players. That looking at the top teams (e.g top 4 across the last ten years, I can't recall your sample), the next highest top 5 is Tampa at 52%. Most are in the 40s. (Apologies if my recollection of the numbers is wrong).

What hasn't been proven is the conclusion, the second part, that the Leafs outlier cap structure is fatally flawed. That's a really interesting hypothesis, and data like the above warrants a deeper look, but it's not conclusive.

To prove the case, there are a bunch more questions to answer. For example:
1) How important is the other 40%?
2) Assuming any importance, how efficient have the Leafs been in their spending of the other 40%? i.e. if the Leafs have used every dollar not spend on the top 5 really well, that would strongly support your case.
3) How important is the makeup of that near 60%? i.e. Tampa's big 5 included goaltending (Vasilevsky), the Leafs does not.
4) That Tampa team won multiple cups. If they're the next outlier, then there's an alternate hypothesis that NHL teams aren't being aggressive enough in top ending their caps. i.e. sign MORE big stars and fill out the bottom lines with the Zamboni guy if necessary.

IF your hypothesis IS correct, and it is impossible to win with a top heavy cap, that would be a REALLY interesting insight.

But we're only halfway there.

 

[bustaheims]

IF your hypothesis IS correct, and it is impossible to win with a top heavy cap, that would be a REALLY interesting insight.

But we're only halfway there.

It's the type of thing that's going to be seen as impossible until someone does it. And, at some point, someone will.

 

[herman]

I'd love a window into the alternate world where Nylander signs that deal (Assuming Nylander signs it, which isn't a small assumption).

Just looking at the timeline, Nylander actually signed at end of November 2018 (right up against the wire as the story goes, with Nylander himself being the one who blinked). Kyle Dubas was named Leafs GM in May 2018, so for this kind of predictive approach to have been taken, we would have need Lou Lamoriello to be the one who offered it.

Nylander's camp's main comparable was David Pastrnak, who signed a 6.67M x 6 years around the start of training camp after two ho hum <30 pts 40ish game seasons and just after a breakout 70pt run.

Lou could have offered him a 6M+ x 7 deal and I believe Nylander would've signed it in a heartbeat.

Which, since I'm riffing, would likely have been played out that the boy wonder AGM Kyle Dubas was pulling the strings and making big moves, skipping a bridge deal with Nylander - how would this impact other negotiations? *gasp* - especially when Dubas then gets named full GM.

It would have been bold. At the very least it would have played very differently to the eventual, passive approach. Which wasn't necessarily avoidable (the other side of the "Leafs have contributed to escalating salaries" coin is that the Leafs have had star players who have contributed to raising salaries because they're really, really good, and they have all the leverage)... and wouldn't necessarily have taken us to a terribly different place (one more year of Nylander?) but was still a terrible narrative.

At the least, it makes you wonder. What opportunities are there to be bold with the salary structure right now?

I think the game plan after Lou was dismissed was to a) bag Tavares (and offer him the bag), b) get Nylander in at under 6, to c) anchor a future Marner deal to 7ish, and d) try to get Matthews at an Eichel-y number with term. It did not work Especially after getting Tavares at 11x7 with all the front-loaded bells and whistles for not much in return other than a being a substantial UFA pull.

7x7 + 8x9 would be about 16M total for more years, vs the eventual 18M total for fewer years; Lou/Dubas would've been roasted for either situation, but we'd all be happier and more forgiving if it was the former case.

 

[herman]

The Leafs' top-heavy cap structure works if one of the big tickets was swapped out for a different big ticket.
Say McDavid was here instead of Marner (or Pastrnak instead of Nylander if you prefer). It  can work as long as you're paying the right horses. Y'all know which horse I think hasn't worked out when it counted, but that's really been the difference between Toronto and Edmonton.

Note that in all the previous iterations of this team, Nylander was at 7M, vs his double-digit teammates, and he largely produced better than, or on par with said teammates in the playoffs, with the likes of Alexes Galchenyuk and Kerfoot.

 

[cw]

Note that in all the previous iterations of this team, Nylander was at 7M, vs his double-digit teammates, and he largely produced better than, or on par with said teammates in the playoffs, with the likes of Alexes Galchenyuk and Kerfoot.

Offensively, maybe. But not defensively.
That is part of the reason why Nylander's salary has not been as high as the others - in spite of his holdout.

Stats are not everything but these stats don't smell too good to me:
Nylander is 15th lowest in hits/60 out of 497 NHLers who played 300+ regular season games since 2016-17.
Nylander is 9th lowest in hits/60 out of 259 NHLers who played 40+ playoff games since 2016-17.
Nylander is 17th lowest in blocks/60 out of 497 NHLers who played 300+ regular season games since 2016-17.
Nylander is 31st lowest in blocks/60 out of 259 NHLers who played 40+ playoff games since 2016-17.
That's pretty soft for a guy with thighs on him like Nylander has.
Marner is not as big but handily beats Nylander in all those stats as do Matthews & Tavares

Matthews, Marner and Tavares have received Selke votes.
Matthews & Marner have been Selke finalists.
Nylander has never received a single Selke vote in his career.
It should be pretty obvious to most knowledgeable hockey observers why that is.

What forward leads the Leafs forwards since 2016-17 in on-ice even strength goals against in the playoffs? Nylander.
Which top Leafs forward has the worst even strength goals against per ES minute played in the playoffs? Tavares & Nylander (arguably roughly statistically tied). Marner blows Nylander away in that stat - 27% less.

Stats are not everything. They have no opinion but are far from perfect. Those stats do reinforce what I see when I watch. They do not shock me. Tavares isn't much better but at least he tries and makes an effort defensively - his head is into it defensively. Nylander is a defensive enigma.

Nylander does not appear to have it between his ears or the desire to play a defensively responsible tough 200-foot game in the playoffs. He's brilliant and special with his ability to turn nothing into something offensively. He's fantastic to watch for that. But he doesn't do that very often in the other end of the ice defensively - certainly not like Matthews and Marner do. That is why they have never paid him as much - he's simply not as good over 200 feet. Matthews and Marner play in both ends of the ice at a high level. Nylander only really does that in one end of the ice. It has been that way for years in my opinion.

I didn't always agree with Brian Burke but I handily do in this case. Ignoring the return (which should be higher for Marner assuming all other factors being equal), I'd trade Nylander in a heartbeat before I'd trade Marner. With both having NMCs, neither is likely to happen any time soon.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

I'd love a window into the alternate world where Nylander signs that deal (Assuming Nylander signs it, which isn't a small assumption).

Just looking at the timeline, Nylander actually signed at end of November 2018 (right up against the wire as the story goes, with Nylander himself being the one who blinked). Kyle Dubas was named Leafs GM in May 2018, so for this kind of predictive approach to have been taken, we would have need Lou Lamoriello to be the one who offered it.

Nylander's camp's main comparable was David Pastrnak, who signed a 6.67M x 6 years around the start of training camp after two ho hum <30 pts 40ish game seasons and just after a breakout 70pt run.

Lou could have offered him a 6M+ x 7 deal and I believe Nylander would've signed it in a heartbeat.

I don't get the jump from holdout to signs for less money "in a heartbeat"?

My recollection is that the fanbase, media and Dubas wanted the main comparable to be Pastrnak's extremely team friendly deal, but Nylander's camp didn't accept that. The moment Pastrnak signed his deal, every fanbase wanted their stars signed for similar deals. Unfortunately, negotiation only works if both sides agree on the foundations, and the Pastrnak didn't provide that. Ultimately, it was only Nylander himself deciding at the 11th hour that he'd rather play in Toronto than sit the year out that got his - team friendly - deal completed.

Leverage rather than negotiation. Which also (and now I'm speculating) probably informed Marner (accusing the Leafs of "disrespectful" offers) and Matthews (maximising short term deals) how the Leafs needed to be dealt with.

If Lou had offered Nylander an early $8M x 8 he would have signed. MAYBE 8 x $7M? The public would still have gone mad. Dubas might have gotten a better deal from Marner ($10 x 8?), or more term for Matthews, but since we would all still be anchored on Pastrnak, we'd still be super critical of Dubas for handing out big contracts, and honestly, if the savings amount to $3-4M/yr total, yes, that's one more player, but ultimately we're in the same quandary.

Is there a maximum number of star players a team can support before their cap becomes so top heavy it becomes a flaw rather than a feature?

 

[dappleganger]

I'd love a window into the alternate world where Nylander signs that deal (Assuming Nylander signs it, which isn't a small assumption).

Just looking at the timeline, Nylander actually signed at end of November 2018 (right up against the wire as the story goes, with Nylander himself being the one who blinked). Kyle Dubas was named Leafs GM in May 2018, so for this kind of predictive approach to have been taken, we would have need Lou Lamoriello to be the one who offered it.

Nylander's camp's main comparable was David Pastrnak, who signed a 6.67M x 6 years around the start of training camp after two ho hum <30 pts 40ish game seasons and just after a breakout 70pt run.

Lou could have offered him a 6M+ x 7 deal and I believe Nylander would've signed it in a heartbeat.

I don't get the jump from holdout to signs for less money "in a heartbeat"?

My recollection is that the fanbase, media and Dubas wanted the main comparable to be Pastrnak's extremely team friendly deal, but Nylander's camp didn't accept that. The moment Pastrnak signed his deal, every fanbase wanted their stars signed for similar deals. Unfortunately, negotiation only works if both sides agree on the foundations, and the Pastrnak didn't provide that. Ultimately, it was only Nylander himself deciding at the 11th hour that he'd rather play in Toronto than sit the year out that got his - team friendly - deal completed.

Leverage rather than negotiation. Which also (and now I'm speculating) probably informed Marner (accusing the Leafs of "disrespectful" offers) and Matthews (maximising short term deals) how the Leafs needed to be dealt with.

If Lou had offered Nylander an early $8M x 8 he would have signed. MAYBE 8 x $7M? The public would still have gone mad. Dubas might have gotten a better deal from Marner ($10 x 8?), or more term for Matthews, but since we would all still be anchored on Pastrnak, we'd still be super critical of Dubas for handing out big contracts, and honestly, if the savings amount to $3-4M/yr total, yes, that's one more player, but ultimately we're in the same quandary.

Is there a maximum number of star players a team can support before their cap becomes so top heavy it becomes a flaw rather than a feature?

Yes, 4.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

The Oilers are now entering, or have already been in the same territory.

Draisatl - 14M
McDavid - 12.5M (projected to be north of 15M on new salary)
Bouchard - Projected to be at 10M
Nurse - 9.25M (talk about an overpayment).

The bonus with them is they've actually been progressively getting better in the Playoffs and the cap is going up just as their contracts are coming due for renewal.

 

[herman]

The Oilers are now entering, or have already been in the same territory.

Draisatl - 14M
McDavid - 12.5M (projected to be north of 15M on new salary)
Bouchard - Projected to be at 10M
Nurse - 9.25M (talk about an overpayment).

The bonus with them is they've actually been progressively getting better in the Playoffs and the cap is going up just as their contracts are coming due for renewal.

The Oilers have consistently gone up against poop competition in the playoffs, relative to our killer gauntlet of Stanley Cup champions. Except for CBJ/MTL, which was inexcusable. I am looking forward to the new coaching.