Bates said:
Zee said:
Bates said:
gunnar36 said:
Trading Kapanen would be a move we would regret for years! Think Alex Steen x100 We have not seen his full upside yet. This guy will be as valuable as any Leaf forward come playoff time. Say what you want about fitting under the cap, the fact of the matter is that current Nhl is based on speed, and I can't think of any player that can turn on the jets like him. He also has that physical element and strength that is lacking among our top 9 and he will be a tremendous asset in any playoff series.
Guys like Nylander (once he starts playing better) Brown, Johnnson and Lilegren I would dangle as any potential trade bait, but not willing to lose Kappi.
Who would you suggest go when It's time to pay him?
Connor Brown makes $2.1M, replace Brown with a league minimum salary guy like Trevor Moore and use the extra cash towards a Kapanen contract. Worth noting that Kapanen doesn't have RFA rights so he's not going to hit a home run deal yet.
Neither did Nylander and he bent Dubas over. I don't see Kapanen signing for Brown money.
What are you talking about? Nylander getting $6.9M isn't bending Dubas over, it's right in line with market value for him. Nylander also had two 61 point seasons under his belt and 135 points in 185 games.
Kapanen has 39 points in 109 games.
I'm not saying he's getting Connor Brown money, but there are UFAs leaving that will open up cap space, and Marleau's contract of $6.25M is off the books after next season. Worst comes to worst with Kapanen you can bridge deal him for 2-3 years to get by the cap crunch of next season.