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2025 Offseason Thread: Spring Cleaning

I don't love that we still have open ended ties with those two. It seemed like those should be deals that could have been accomplished before free agency. Having question marks around those two makes it harder to know how much money is left kicking around.
Still 5 days before free agency opens, which is a lot of time for this stuff. I'd be pretty shocked if Tavares isn't signed before then. And if he isn't then honestly he's probably not coming back, which closes one question mark but obviously opens another.
 
I don't love that we still have open ended ties with those two. It seemed like those should be deals that could have been accomplished before free agency. Having question marks around those two makes it harder to know how much money is left kicking around.
Im actually surprised that you're surprised at this. It was obvious a deal couldn't be done with Marner in season. Tre is acting like he's keeping his options open but it doesn't seem likely Marner comes back, but he's not going to say that. On Tavares there's talk that he's wants closer to fair market value vs. taking a hometown discount, which explains the delay imo.
 
Im actually surprised that you're surprised at this. It was obvious a deal couldn't be done with Marner in season. Tre is acting like he's keeping his options open but it doesn't seem likely Marner comes back, but he's not going to say that. On Tavares there's talk that he's wants closer to fair market value vs. taking a hometown discount, which explains the delay imo.
My two comment was about Knies and Tavares not Marner
 
My wishlist from 2023-24 offseason is in shambles:
-Marner traded before NMC for 2C + prospect on the cusp
-Knies signed to 7x7 once eligible
-Tavares on deferred salary deal
 
My wishlist from 2023-24 offseason is in shambles:
-Marner traded before NMC for 2C + prospect on the cusp
-Knies signed to 7x7 once eligible
-Tavares on deferred salary deal

Marner with his NMC would have had to be moved the offseason before extensions would have been eligible for Knies and Tavares.
 
Yes, I'm aware of that. That was the wishlist in order. No Marner extension potential means the Knies and Tavares files would not be waiting so long.

It would be interesting to know the circumstances around not signing extensions when they are first eligible. Is this direction coming from the team or the players, both?

The average contract value only goes up. It would have made sense to pressure Knies into an extension a year ago. Tavares, with his age, probably made sense to wait.
 
It would be interesting to know the circumstances around not signing extensions when they are first eligible. Is this direction coming from the team or the players, both?

The average contract value only goes up. It would have made sense to pressure Knies into an extension a year ago. Tavares, with his age, probably made sense to wait.

Knies at 7x7 coming right out of his 2nd yr of the ELC would've been an overpay, but lots of teams have made bets like this to good effect. Since Shanahan, when they've had worthy options, the Leafs have no been able to do so. Once he started his third year (alongside stat generators like Matthews/Marner), there was no reason for him to even look at an offer. The key was to blow him out of the water with an offer of stability before he hit the ice.

Tavares, yeah, I get the age factor, but age usually cuts into footspeed and Tavares never had footspeed to begin with. Get term + deferrals to bring the cap hit down before something stupid like Brock Nelson's contract happens, especially if the Marner trade nets a proper 2C already, taking Tavares' primary leverage off the table.
 
Knies at 7x7 coming right out of his 2nd yr of the ELC would've been an overpay, but lots of teams have made bets like this to good effect. Since Shanahan, when they've had worthy options, the Leafs have no been able to do so. Once he started his third year (alongside stat generators like Matthews/Marner), there was no reason for him to even look at an offer. The key was to blow him out of the water with an offer of stability before he hit the ice.

Tavares, yeah, I get the age factor, but age usually cuts into footspeed and Tavares never had footspeed to begin with. Get term + deferrals to bring the cap hit down before something stupid like Brock Nelson's contract happens, especially if the Marner trade nets a proper 2C already, taking Tavares' primary leverage off the table.
Ottawa has some good contracts for gambling on long-term contracts on unproven talent. We just wait, "if you have time, use it", Dubas repeatedly quoting Lou.
 
Im actually surprised that you're surprised at this. It was obvious a deal couldn't be done with Marner in season. Tre is acting like he's keeping his options open but it doesn't seem likely Marner comes back, but he's not going to say that. On Tavares there's talk that he's wants closer to fair market value vs. taking a hometown discount, which explains the delay imo.
I can see a deal with JT that makes no sense coming. Had a good year great but he's slowing down and going to be another contract we regret. Let him walk. All our guys have only one thing in mind.
 
I can see a deal with JT that makes no sense coming. Had a good year great but he's slowing down and going to be another contract we regret. Let him walk. All our guys have only one thing in mind.
I know, I read he could get $8M as a UFA. The Leafs contracts given and asset management have been horrendous. The Leafs cannot continue to compound the problem they created. Value needs to take precedence when signing contracts. JT will feel and wear the wrath of Leafs nation if he gets $8M.

 
Just saw the signing 4 X $4.38 cap hit. Happy with this great signing by Tre glad we didn't overpay. Last year or 2 they can move him down in the lineup possibly.
 
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