Leafs talk 2

28 Jul 2026 01:23:14
Am I on an island here or would anyone else here rather pay Robertson 3.25M then pay Roslovic 4M? I feel Robertson is gonna come back to haunt us.

28 Jul 2026 01:54:16
I would have been fine keeping Robertson as well. In a better system he's probably a 20g scorer. I don't think he comes back to haunt us as in he's a superstar, but I can see him being a decent middle 6 guy.

28 Jul 2026 02:50:34
I don't know whether Roslovic will be better or not, but I'm happy Robertson is gone. He's a ME first player, not a team first guy.

28 Jul 2026 04:30:38
@Tags I really never saw Robertson as that kind of guy.

I always thought the effort was there, but he needed better mentorship when he was young.

28 Jul 2026 09:48:19
The thing that worries me the most about Roslovic is his career -46. He hasn’t been in the + for over 5x years now.

Definitely gonna miss Robertson's shot. That kid can finish. My knock on Robertson is he looked like a boy playing a man’s game.

28 Jul 2026 13:20:45
I didn't want either, simple as that.

28 Jul 2026 14:33:51
Robertson needed a change of scenery no matter what. I do think we could have done better with Roslovic and that $4 million. However... The saving grace is he has no restrictions for moving him at any point.

28 Jul 2026 15:24:21
@LeafsLife
My buddies nephew played on the Marlies with Robertson for a couple of years. He says Robertson is a selfish player, he's all about himself and just looks to score for himself. Btw it's not just his nephew who feels this way, many other players on the team have said the same thing.


Anyways, Robertson is now gone and I wish him the best of luck.
Roslovic is another story, and I'm not high on him either same as you guys feel. I would have loved Arvidsson, but that ship has sailed.
Let's hope Chayka has a couple more bullets in the chamber. We need another solid piece or two.

28 Jul 2026 20:51:35
@Tags I wouldn't have thought before you mentioned it. Good post.

28 Jul 2026 21:39:43
@Tags... I heard a similar thing in regards to his just wanting to shoot as much as possible to score. Similar thing a buddy of mine has a son that is in another organization and that was the book on him. Defenders now know to play him in that he will shoot most of the time, so they push him to shoot from bad angles and low percentage shots, which would drive coaches crazy.

They would tell him over and over to look towards passing more often, and it would separate the defenders more. But he would never listen and kept thinking he could replicate that 55 goal season from Junior.

31 Jul 2026 15:57:55
I mentioned about Robertson being selfish a long time ago and Tags backed it up with this information. He has always come across as a guy who thinks he deserves to be in the top 6 playing with the best players even if he isn't consistent enough in his play.

25 Jul 2026 15:35:40
Well on a slow movement week in the NHL. Here is one to think about. They say this will be the year of the "Rookie", Other than the 5 top names in no Particular order of McKenna, Stenberg, Martone, Hutson (Cole), and Frondell. There are a ton of others that are pretty good as well. Pick 2 more that one of them could have a chance at being presented with the Calder Cup at season's end.



I'll start with Helenius from Buffalo and Eklund from the Islanders. Feel free to agree or fire in 2 more. There are a ton of them. It will be exciting to see all thses players actually. I could have picked 10 more lol.

25 Jul 2026 15:05:12
1) Jacob Fowler

I love how Montreal protected him last year. They did a great job of balancing experience and letting him develop naturally. Perfect example of not rushing a blue chip prospect. He probably won’t win the Calder Trophy cuz he’ll be splitting the nets but this one is a keeper (no pun intended).



2) Porter Martone

I’m gonna cheat and take the favourite to win the Calder. Already has an impressive showing in the NHL. He’s big, he’s strong and has a great shot. I’d love to have a young stud like this on the Leafs.

25 Jul 2026 15:22:37
No no no, lol. I said other that the 5 faves, lol. Martone is already in their King.

25 Jul 2026 15:42:53
😂🤣😂

I soooooo cheated.

I still think Martone wins the Calder Trophy easily.

Fine!!!!! I’ll pick a 3rd 😂🤣😂

3) Ilya Protas

This kid is a monster!!! If he uses his size correctly at the NHL level he’ll be a force to reckon with.

I can see a lot of garbage goals in front of the net and racking up points with all the talent around him. I don’t think he’ll have a lot of pressure either so that’s an added bonus.

25 Jul 2026 16:06:17
Good picks.

25 Jul 2026 21:45:48
Sorry Suffering, but I have to steal Helenius as well. I really like him.
I'll take a longer shot with Tig Iginla. Not sure if he plays many NHL games this year. I heard they are trying to prep him into a Centre. I'm curious to see how this experiemnt pans out.

25 Jul 2026 23:46:19
I heard that about Iginla as well. His other block is he has to leapfrog his WJC linemate Caleb Desnoyers who also wants that Centre job lol. Good Friendly rivalry. Another longshot as well will be their other linemate from the WJC that got traded from Utah to the Rangers. Cole Beaudoin.

26 Jul 2026 00:55:11
Yes, I liked Beaudoin in that 2024 draft, and Solberg as well.
I think Leafs had their heart set on Hage and once Montreal picked him at 21 the Leafs traded down their 23rd pick.

26 Jul 2026 01:07:34
Almost forgot about Hage. If Montreal can convince him to not go back to College, throw him in there. Too. So many if them.

26 Jul 2026 10:13:41
“If” the Leafs trade Knies to Montreal, I’d soooo want Hage as one of many prospects and pics coming the Leafs way.

26 Jul 2026 17:44:13
My son in law pointed out 3 I forgot about. He being a Senators fan said to keep a eye on Carter Yakemchuck that he will open some eyes this year. Another he mentioned and I forgot about and he will be a good one as well is James Hagens in Boston.

23 Jul 2026 14:35:38
I know some will want to roast me for this, but what is with Marner and his camp continuing to try and roast the Leafs organization and their fans. Now, it's his agent going off. Some will say he's gone, let it go. I think the Leafs and fans have tried for the most part, but it is very important to Marner and his camp to be portrayed as the victim and they just don't stop. I don't think he has been mentioned here since the end of the playoffs. I've seen players go on about ex-coaches (Babcock top of mind) because they hated the guy, but continuing to go after an organization and it's fans while in the prime years of a career, is just weird.


If the plan is to make sure the Leafs organization and fans are glad he is gone, then their plan is working. That said, if I was a Vegas fan or player/management etc, I would begin to wonder how long before this guy and his agent turn on us or what will he say when his Knight's career is over. It's the kind of drama no team wants.

23 Jul 2026 13:44:33
Marner is just like a bitter X, end of story.
I'm just tired of this guy and his team rehashing old news, it's already been said repeatedly.
Time to move-on with your life.

23 Jul 2026 14:26:04
Tags, your reaction is exactly what I am talking about and I am with you. I was interested to see how the playoffs went for him and he definitely had his time where he looked good, but was invisible the first 5 games and last 3 games of the finals.

To me, that was the end of the story. It had played out. Why they continue to stoke the fire is beyond me. It's not helping to get anyone to feel sorry for him.

23 Jul 2026 18:07:42
Marner still has to come back here as he grew up close by. I really think they're just trying to soften the blow on him with the public and blame the organization.

Bringing up the Lou situation with no bonuses on his ELC actually made me lol when I read that. That's a bitter man. He needs to chill.

24 Jul 2026 20:12:41
He seems to be on a long road of recovery from his Toronto tenure…
He has some real issues going on in his mind.
You are miles away.
You have millions in the bank.
You have a beautiful wife and child.
I for one am not understanding any of it….

24 Jul 2026 21:05:50
He doesn't want to get boo'ed when Vegas comes back to Toronto.
I'm sure many fans will boo him this time around because there won't be any Marner appreciation video for the fans to cheer/boo (mixed reactions).
Sounds like he is trying to put the blame solely on Leafs management for their false promises and saying nothing bad against the fans.

I think he's trying to get on our good side.
Basically he thinks us fans are idiots and will just forget all the BS that was spewed!!

24 Jul 2026 22:26:43
In fairness. It was not him saying it. It was his agent who, for years, even for his down home Good old boy persona, loves to talk and hear himself and is not one of NHL teams' fave agent to deal with. Ferris as good of as an agent as he us has a side not many like. Including some clients.

Most of what he said on that interview true if false should not have been said. In my opinion by doing so his ego might have just cost him some future clients. Some things are to be left behind closed doors. We all have moved on. Even Marner …. But not the almighty Darren Ferris.

24 Jul 2026 23:26:21
Suffering.
In my opinion.
If Ferris did that without Marner's knowledge, he would have been fired. I think Marner and his camp knew full well what was going on.

24 Jul 2026 23:49:58
I am not defending Marner. Just saying what a slimy agent he has. Pretending he is standing up for his client, when all he was doing was airing a grudge he had with Lamoriello and private talks with Treliving that I am sure every G.

M is now looking at him in a different light and will be asking for conversations to be recorded and NDA's signed etc.

25 Jul 2026 00:09:09
Agreed on Ferris, he definitely is slimy.
Just for me, I think if someone who represents me goes out and starts spewing this stuff again after so many years without my consent, I would 100% fire him on the spot.
This makes Marner look petty, resentful and vengeful.

It's not a good look for him and he should definitely distance himself from it if he truly had no knowledge.
Again, my opinion and I may be completely off base, but that's how I see it.

25 Jul 2026 00:20:44
All I will say in closing is. If Marner and his Young family are happy. Then good for them. All of us should strive for that. Not just for ourselves but for the world in general. We are in a crazy world.

All this is, is a hockey site and we do have tongue in cheek back and forths at times amongst ourselves. But we don’t need to wish ill will upon anyone. Let’s move on to the next trade wish list. Cheers crew. 🍻

25 Jul 2026 00:25:11
I'm not wishing any ill will on Marner.
It's just time to move on and put all this history to bed.
Cheers 🍻.

24 Jul 2026 00:43:37
I just know that Ferris is and has been for a long while a wildcard. If you give him a forum he will puff his chest out, thinks he walks on water. This is probably Marners last contract anyway, but I think he will at a certain point distance himself (He still has to pay the agent commission regardless), but even he knows this puts him in a worse light than he was in.

All I know is this was classic Ferris. As someone else pointed out, Marner is a local boy and will be back in the area at some point and of course for future games. No player no matter what wants a target on them like Ferris just did. His ego came through when he said and I paraphrase.... I told him not to sign but he didn't listen to me. You never tell the public something like that. Total B.S move by a agent. He is the complete opposite of Pat Brisson who G.M's very much respect.

25 Jul 2026 09:32:43
Marner's perspective of being a local boy is my point.
What would you do if you were Marner and you had no knowledge of what Ferris was going to say?
This is not a good look for Marner. He clearly should fire Ferris, eat the commission and distance himself from this situation as quickly as possible.

25 Jul 2026 12:17:18
I agree. I would be distancing and dumping him. Would certainly be talking to a lawyer to go over that agent contract to void it based on fiduciary breach.

17 Jul 2026 22:04:16
Ok, so guys help me out here if you buy out a player their contract becomes null and void including NTC, right? I’m just asking as it’s a slow week lol but here’s my thing: if we wanted Ferraro and or Bunting, if we kept those players in limbo and lost one of them to Winnipeg, yes I botched the spelling. Why didn’t we buy out Reilly? I really love Bunting but I don’t see room for him honestly but the latter went to Winnipeg and I don’t get how the Leafs didn’t say hey man we have your contract ready give us time to move Reilly and if we can’t a weak before camp we will buy him out and you can sign.

17 Jul 2026 22:41:37
The problem is his cap hit doesn't 100 percent disappear. 1/3 of it does and the other 2/3 gets spread out over twice the years of the remaining 4 years (8 years). So the next 4 years we would lose $2 of our cap paying him and then the following 4 years $4 millions.



We still are allowed to go over our $104 million cap by 10% but it has to be down to $104 by season opening day. So yes we could still sign someone and have 77 days to work with if we did sign another player.

Did that help?

17 Jul 2026 22:51:56
Actually the buyout for him would be $3.5 million on dead cap for first 4 years and then $2 for 4 years. As per Puckpedia

17 Jul 2026 23:28:45
Yes, just check Puckpedia. Click on Rielly and the buyout options are at the top.

When you buy a player out, some AAV remains on the team's record for double the remaining term. Rielly has 4 years' term remaining, so if Leafs buy him out, they will be paying some sort of penalty for 8 years.

Buyout amounts are different depending on a player's age, plus how the contract was set up. Rielly's contract was front loaded with the signing bonuses he received, so the buyout is higher.

Frank Vatrano's contract is back loaded, so the buyout will save Anaheim much more AAV.

As Suffering already said
Rielly $7.5M AAV (actually getting paid $6M actual dollars)
$3.5M against the cap (just over half savings)

Vatrano $4.571M AAV (actually getting paid $6M actual dollars).
$571 against the cap (almost 90% savings).

Sorry if it sounds confusing, I'm not the best at explaining things on paper 😆😂🤣.

17 Jul 2026 23:55:25
@Tags97 KingMatty would have been confused on this yesterday after his soccer outing the day before lol. Hope a little hair of the dog helped later in the day King.

18 Jul 2026 00:59:12
I’m back boys and thanks for the love 👊.

In my opinion, buyouts should only be used on the last year of a contract.

As a Leaf fan, buying out Rielly is not an option.

When it comes to Rielly I’m struggling?

1) Part of me wants him to stay and he has the best year of his career, plays 1000 games and Leaf Nation goes wild.



2) The other part of me says take anything you can get and run.

At the end of the day it’s Rielly’s decision and I’ve got his back.

🤷‍♂️

18 Jul 2026 01:29:07
Rielly is a Class individual and I wish him the best whether he plays with the Leafs or elsewhere.

Anyways, I agree KINGmatty, buyouts mostly with one year left. Although in Vatrano's case, I would have done it with 2 years left (unfortunately Verbeek didn't prepare himself for a potential OS, at least not one for $18M ridiculous)
Philly really screwed Anaheim.

Let's see what happens with Gauthier.

18 Jul 2026 01:38:03
Hockey is upside down right now. I’d hate to be a GM and reporting to the owner.

18 Jul 2026 01:41:04
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again...

I would have never matched that offer sheet... Never!

18 Jul 2026 14:00:20
You would have never matched the offer sheet King because there would not be enough money to do the $18M after you went through $8M of it on the Soccer Binge lol.

21 Jul 2026 14:38:45
Just seeing this now, too funny!!! 😂🤣😂

16 Jul 2026 10:49:14
Leafs hired a new head janitor…

Let’s be critical of that move as well shall we?
This fanbase is completely noodles… 🙄😵‍💫
(The word I used got edited out)

Let’s leave all the previous staff in place, because we were sooooooo successful with all of them….
😂😂😂😂

16 Jul 2026 14:13:57
🚨New janitor🚨

Sooo many questions...

• Left handed or right handed?
• How tall and what does he weigh?
• How long is the contract?
• What’s the AAV?
• Does this janitor have a no movement?
• How much experience?
• Has the janitor won any awards?
• Can this janitor lead a team?

@LukeFox

You can’t just drop info like this on us without giving us more info.

Where did you see this? Was it a janitor analyst or a true janitor insider? I’ve been looking all morning and can't find anything. I’m go’n nuts here buddy, Help me!!!!

16 Jul 2026 20:06:34
Chayka offer sheeted him
Vegas couldn’t match.

16 Jul 2026 20:16:12
Janitor is how the press framed it. I believe the position was “Cleaner”. They got the best in the business. Winston Wolfe.

16 Jul 2026 20:29:54
Too funny 😂🤣😂

15 Jul 2026 18:12:25
So as look towards the upcoming season and look back at the final wildcard standings from last season. Which teams that make it in the East do you see falling out of the Playoffs and which teams replacing them and with the roster we have at the moment do you see us being one of those teams replacing anyone?

15 Jul 2026 17:55:17
Bruins don't end up at 100pts again and miss the playoffs.

Buffalo ends the season in a wild card spot. I think they take a step back without Tuch and Byram.

Eklund (who I really like) is better than Brady was and the Sens do better with a top 3 finish.

Playoffs in order;

Tampa
Leafs
Sens
Habs
Panthers
Sabres
Bruins
Red Wings

Wings are a dumpster fire and it gets no better.



Bruins will need a total rebuild soon. They are another middling team that doesn't have much.

No change in the Metro. That division is a mess. Free ride for Canes.

I know everyone is crowning the Cats as cup champions because they picked up Brady, but Markstrom is not a good goalie in my estimation. That was the worst move that organization has made in awhile.

15 Jul 2026 19:39:10
Don't rule out those Bruins. They are sneaky in how they keep filling holes. They could actually have a couple rookie of the year candidates on their roster this year with James Hagens and Will Zellers.

15 Jul 2026 20:31:54
@Suffering What's your list?

You didn't give your prediction.

15 Jul 2026 21:06:37
😂 @Eklund Better than Brady Tkachuk?
My list:

Habs
TB
Bruins
FLA - wild card but wins the Cup again.

Out of playoffs:
Leafs
Sabres
Sens
Red Wings

15 Jul 2026 21:20:35
I think Pittsburgh and the Flyers are out (Flyers are good but are still missing that Centreman). Get passed by Washingto and the Panthers. The Panthers no because of Brady but because of just getting the injuries behind them and full compliment. I agree with the Senators actually maybe having a better team now. They are loaded on left wing and might have one of the best group of young defensemen in the league. Boston I think hangs in there because they kind of have that Carolina makeup. They just keep throwing players over the boards that you really don't want to play against. line after line.

Just balanced. I think though the team that makes the most improvement will be Washington. That is one very deep and big team. I think Bob might steal us a extra 10-12 points this year but I just don't see us making up enough points with the lineup we have to springboard back up and make us a 100 point team. Which is basically what we need to hit wildcard. We shall see. Sadly if we miss again then the massive rebuild we probably start next year. Its all subjective right? Any of these teams could run into massive injuries like Florida. We could be in a world of hurt if we only have one major injury.

15 Jul 2026 21:26:09
Clarky... Even Ottawa fans are looking forward to a team without Chucky. His act had worn thin. In and out of the dressing room.

15 Jul 2026 23:33:31
Love this!!!!!

• Carolina
• Tampa
• Washington
• Florida
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Buffalo
• Toronto

15 Jul 2026 23:56:59
KINGmatty
You can't have 6 teams from the Atlantic, 5 teams max from either division.

Tampa
Toronto
Montreal
Florida
Buffalo
Ottawa
Boston
Detroit

Toronto vs Montreal Round 1.

16 Jul 2026 00:06:16
Carolina
Washington
New Jersey
Pittsburgh
NYI
Philadelphia
Columbus
NYR

16 Jul 2026 01:06:06
@Suffering, you can say what you want about fans/teammates not liking him but the reality is, he was the heart of that team, he tried to drag people in the fight with him, but most of that Sens team didn’t want that side of the game. Actually a lot like the Leafs.

Didn’t know we were doing the whole eastern conference:
Washington
Carolina
NYI
Jersey
NYR
Pitts
Columbus
Philly
For the other side of the East.

16 Jul 2026 02:03:11
Liking thr lists from everyone. See a few I didn't expect.

@Clarky I have been the biggest Brady Tkathcuk fan since he entered the league. I advocated for a trade to get him to Toronto for years.

After the crap he pulled in Ott, good riddance.

They should be happy he's gone. They got Eklund and a bunch of draft capital which will be good picks.

Ott was a fantastic team that lacked goaltending. They still just neeed the same.

16 Jul 2026 09:07:14
Atlantic
Florida
Tampa
Montreal

Metro
Caps
Hurricanes
Blue Jackets

Wildcard
Leafs
Buffalo

Two teams I don’t fully believe in are Buffalo and Montreal they are young teams that haven’t won consistently yet, the Leafs will benefit from the weak Metro and also from some of the Atlantic teams having lost big pieces… Side note I really like what the Capitals have built I think they are President's Trophy winners.

16 Jul 2026 09:55:21
@Tags97

🤣😂🤣😂

I had waaaay to much to drink last night.

🍺🤪

Went to the bar for the soccer game. I do remember go’n out, pretty cloudy after that 🤣😂.

New sober list:

• Tampa
• Florida
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Toronto

• Washington
• Carolina
• Pittsburg.

16 Jul 2026 11:22:29
Hope your team won KINGmatty 🍻.

16 Jul 2026 12:14:37
@Tags97

Honestly, not a soccer guy like my buddies are (but try’n). I’m very patriotic so having Canada in and hold their own was good enough for me.

And thanks, buddy 👊

🍺🤕🔨 (hurting today) 😂🤣.

16 Jul 2026 13:00:39
@KINGmatty

I've had more than my share of these hangover days 😫 🤕
Hope you feel better soon!

I'm not much of a soccer guy either, but I do enjoy watching the World Cup and am a proud Canadian as well.

Hats off to the Canada 🇨🇦 🇨🇦🇨🇦

Cheers, but no drinking for you today 😆 😂🤣

16 Jul 2026 14:05:30
@goat2.0 I totally agree about the Washington Capitals.

Those 4 lines are just sick!

Tuch Strome Kyrou
Protas (The Older) Dubois Wilson
Ovechkin Jenner Leonard
Protas (The Younger) Sourdif Beauvillier

And Andrew Crisall is still not even factored in on those lines.



The Defence is very balanced.

Thompson in Net.

That is a team that is capable of swapping lines one and two and lines three and four at any point and time.

12 Jul 2026 12:53:26
Just my 2 cents with the NMC's.

I hope in the next CBA that NMC's are limited to half the contract term. The second half would be a M-NTC with a maximum 10 team no trade list (both team & player will have a say).

What else I hope for:
If a player such as Larkin with a full NMC demands a trade & only limits the trade to 3 or 4 teams. That player should lose his NMC status once the trade had been facilitated. Players can't have their cake and eat it too, there has to be some sort of repercussions IMO.

12 Jul 2026 12:39:21
Totally agree.

12 Jul 2026 13:09:04
@Tags97

Definitely got my attention 👊

12 Jul 2026 13:40:55
Absolutely Tags!! This league is turning into the NBA. NHL is now more popular than NBA because of the garbage they are letting the players get away with. It’s a circus over there, let’s stop it now before it gets to that point. Nice post Tags.

12 Jul 2026 15:25:18
Agreed. I would like to see them doing something about offer sheets as well. There is nothing good that came out of that Carlsson offer sheet. It was within the rules, but the rules need to change. As others have mentioned, the NHL is heading in the direction of the NBA and that's not good for hockey and the fans.

12 Jul 2026 15:48:21
@RLF

100% agree w you. This shouldn’t be a problem during the next CBA as Everyone sees the problem here.

13 Jul 2026 02:21:43
@RLF I don't see an issue with offer sheets. This is a one off and won't happen again.

Before this happened we all wanted offer sheets for the excitement. Those are fine.

The NMC cannot be changed in how it is now.

Players don't want to play in a certain place, you can't force them.

Take away a NMC and they will just refuse to play (Vince Carter). Doesn't change anything.

13 Jul 2026 13:51:24
LL. I actually was never a proponent for offer sheets. Especially anything that is way above a players actual value. When a team gives an under point per game player $18M per season to make him the highest paid player in the League and a 3rd line centre $4.75M, who is coming off a 25 point season, to me that singles a change in direction from GM's. The cap is expected to go up about $9.5M per season over the next 5 years. I have no desire to see players getting offer sheeted $22-$28M per season over the next 4 years. Carlsson was only 5 years and Hayton 1 year.

It is just creating more player greed and going to make it even more difficult to develop and maintain your own picks/prospects. I can see future stars just letting their ELC's run out and wait for the highest bidder through an offer sheet. Personally, that situation doesn't appeal to me. Top guys are already making well over $100M for their career. Do they really need more than $200M for a career?
See how everyone feels in 3 years if McKenna signs an offer sheet for $25M per and the Leafs have to match it.

13 Jul 2026 17:54:05
@RLF Good points, but if offer sheets are taken away you would need something to replace them in some way. Players will never be ok just being trapped in a place with no way out for that long.



If McKenna puts up 150pts in his final ELC year and offer sheets don't exist, just tell him to sign for 8x8 or sit and watch for the next 5 years.

13 Jul 2026 18:36:30
LL, That's fair. There must be a compromise though. Maybe something based along the lines where an offer sheet can't happen unless a players sits out 1 full season without being signed. This way the player loses a years salary if he sits out and if the team wants to lowball him too much, the player can make up the money difference if he is willing to wait a year without pay in order to get his max contract offer sheet.
I know there are issues with that kind of scenario as well and it wouldn't necessarily work well for mid level or lower level players.

Maybe just make it for max compensation contracts. Anyhow something has to change or every high end player will just wait for a bidding war as an RFA. It would though that teams will have to hold onto 1sts to make sure they have compensation and if they do so, TDL will get pretty boring unless GM's are willing to trade pending UFA's for nothing (which may not be a bad thing). But if players are just going to get offer sheeted, why bother with RFA status at all.

13 Jul 2026 20:17:13
@RLF Maybe I just don't see it the same way. Leo is fresh in everyone's mind currently, but he was offered a contract that only locks up RFA years, as the highest paid in hockey and he was a sub 70pts player who is overrated defensively (imo) AND the Flyers offered 4 first rounder (all unprotected) in exchange. Briere lost his damn mind in my estimation and no other GM would do this.

Bedard, Gauthier, Robertson, lots of RFA's right now and none are receiving offer sheets. Hayton was another one I saw as complete insanity.

When the cap stops rising so drastically we will stop seeing such silly things in my estimation. We all know GM's go insane as soon as they see extra money to spend. That's really the oy reason we don't like it currently.

If you were in Verbeeks spot, would you not have been ok with 4 unprotected firsts instead of 5 years of Carlsson at that price? I personally would have let him walk.

14 Jul 2026 12:31:08
I would have taken the 4 1sts as well. I think Carlsson will still get better, but that $18M is only for 5 years, so even as the cap goes up, I don't think it ever becomes a "really good contract."

As for the rest, I hope you are right. Because if players start really running the show and just always going to the highest bidder or demanding trades (which seems to be on the rise), I'm going to lose interest.

These guys are making millions per year, playing in the best League in the world under the best treatment conditions (trainers, medical, hotels, chefs etc) and they still complain. They are basically employees whether they like it or not. People can complain about the owners, but without owners, players have no job and there is no NHL. I'd like to see some loyalty from both sides come back into the game.

12 Jul 2026 02:34:04
Well I had a interesting dinner with my Buddy his kid and his agent who I have also become pretty good friends with. Sorry, no juicy gossip to share. All quiet on the western front, so to speak. But what came up was Salaries. He was saying how everyone is freaking out at the money top players are earning etc. He pointed out something I had never thought about that much to be honest. He pulled it up on his phone and said in 2003, if you took the Bottom level of the top 50 Salaries, which was $5,000,000 and converted to 2026 currently it would convert to being worth $9,000,000 give or take a few dollars.

This year the top 50 Salaries bottome level is $8,625,000. Top Salary 2003 was Forsberg and Jagr at $11,000,000, which coverts to $20,000,000 in 2026. So everything is not that far off. Kind of put a little different perspective in a way on things and I have to admit I left dinner feeling more educated.

12 Jul 2026 12:14:11
It is interesting to do that exercise; it puts a new perspective on today’s salaries.

It’s even more revealing when you consider Forsberg’s $11m was almost 30% of the $39m cap in back 2005/6 compared to Carlsson’s 18% today!

12 Jul 2026 13:13:25
The salaries jumping so high and so fast definitely caught me off guard but you do have a valid point. 👊

12 Jul 2026 14:42:39
Wasn't my point, I just passed it on from someone much more educated in the game and it's finances as it relates to players than I am.

12 Jul 2026 15:49:52
It is interesting, but I see one major flaw in looking at 2003 and someone saying look how it compares. The salary cap didn't exist. Top spending teams in 03 were spending more than what the cap was in 18/19 under the salary cap. It took 15/16 years to get to what the Wings were spending prior to the salary cap ($78M). Yet there were teams only spending $22M back in 03 and weren't competitive.
What would be a more interesting comparison to me is - what is the values compared to the first year of the salary cap (05/06), since currently we are in a salary cap era? Because if the bottom level of the top 50 then was say $3.8M with the 24% rollback (I believe that was the 50th highest salary) and that equates to say $6.5-7M in 2026, then the players have benefitted greatly with much larger salaries.

In 05/06, all existing players' salaries took the 24% rollback to get teams under the $39M cap. I think you have to include the rollback as no new contract could be worth more than about $7.8M with the cap at $39M. So $7.8M would be top salary in the League and as you have shown, that equates to a lot less than $20M (about $13.5M) in 2026.

12 Jul 2026 16:51:09
You are correct for sure on that. He only used the 2003 numbers as reference because that was the year he started as an agent.

He also said that as much as Danny Briere fired that contract at Anaheim to put them in a bit of a bind. It did not come close to the bitterness that in 1998 that Peter Karmanos who owned Carolina caused with Mike Illitch of Detroit with the Fedorov poison pill offer sheet.

I had forgot about that until it was brought up last night. You probably remember it RLF but for those that don't just google it up. They say people thought Illitch was going to have a heart attack he was so furious. He and Karmanos disliked each other to begin with but this one really took it to another level. The NHL during the Wild Wild West days lol.

11 Jul 2026 14:34:05
@kingmatty On the long post on the rumours side. You mentioned about the CB expiring in September. The one that kicks in them is in effect until 2030. So owners and players association have 4 years to address some of these issues we have all pointed out of late. Hopefully sanity prevails. But I won’t hold my breath on it.

11 Jul 2026 13:43:52
Didn’t know that, my bad.

11 Jul 2026 13:53:45
For the most part, still works w my theory of building pics and prospects now. I think getting ahead of this is just good business.

And ya, the NHL and NHLPA gotta solve this offer sheet drama sooner than later.

How does a GM honestly make a 1-5 year game plan right now? This is where having multiple options is the key go’n forward.

11 Jul 2026 14:00:23
Avoiding these ridiculous RFA battles is the way to go (in my opinion). Sooner or later when the NHL and NHLPA solves this those teams who offer these crazy offer sheets will have there hand stuck in the cookie jar.

11 Jul 2026 14:32:33
At some point the cap will plateau. Could it be 4 years from now who knows? But that is when team that spend right to the cap each year will be in trouble. One immediate thing the league for that next agreement is setting that Salary cap (say this year at $104 m) for the highest State we won’t bring provinces in at this time. California is 13% so that affects 3 teams. We all know about the tax free states and then it goes all over with Ohio being the lowest at 2.75%. I think it is time the league evened the playing field.

Bring the cap down in every state to be equivalent for take home pay for players at end of the day. I can guarantee if that was the case thise tax free teams would not appear as often on every players list to be traded or sign as a free agent. This is long overdue in my opinion. The idea the cap is a level playing field for all is an illusion. Seattle will figure that out fast after Jan. 28 going from tax free to 9.9% Milllionaires tax.

11 Jul 2026 14:50:17
Oh! That will definitely be discussed and I sooooo back your point 👊.

It’s gotta be fair for All teams.

11 Jul 2026 20:34:41
I might be alone in this, but after watching Dubas cave repeatedly to RFA demands, I really like the way Verbeek runs his team.

The Flyers made an insane offer that nobody else should have. I don't think we will see that kind of offer again.

11 Jul 2026 21:38:35
@LeafLife

My brother thinks the same about Verbeek. When it came to Carlsson, Verbeek had a price in his head and stuck to his guns. I’m sure he knew an offer sheet was coming and he’d just match it but who woulda thought $18m 🤯.

11 Jul 2026 21:57:30
@King That's my thought as well. What psycho GM would offer 18x5 for a sub 70pts player?

I would never have expected that either.

We saw this team get absolutely screwed by Dubas' poor negotiations. We see now that MTL has locked up their entire core at phenomenal numbers because they don't just give in.

11 Jul 2026 22:10:33
@LeafsLife

Ya! Dubas was soft, couldn’t agree more.

Montreal is for real!!! (🤢🤮) They have Everything go’n for them right now. Gonna be a force to reckon w for years to come. 🥊

11 Jul 2026 10:58:21
Other thing is, this isn’t about me being a huge Knies fan. I’m a passionate Leafs fan. I want this team to do well and win in playoffs. If Knies played more like Nylander, I’d be putting him in all my trades too.

I want passion, guys that want to win here. So it’s not about the player, it’s about what he brings and how bad this team needs more of that, not less.

11 Jul 2026 11:10:20
Not sure this ended up here, this was part of the chat on the other side. Weird.

11 Jul 2026 11:57:04
Great debate!!!!!

👍

The sooner you guys realize I’m right and you’re wrong the better (jokes).

😂🤣😂🤣

11 Jul 2026 13:19:17
Truthfully I don't understand the Knies trade debate. He's a unicorn type player, tbh I would like to see the forward group stay intact to start. No team is perfect and I think the Leafs have a nice blend of young and old. The only move I look for now is if they can move Reilly and maybe look for an upgrade ex. Stanley.

11 Jul 2026 13:40:37
🚨🚨 Breaking news 🚨🚨

The Times of India 🇮🇳 (very reliable source 😂🤣😂) is reporting that “Canucks are urged to raid Maple Leafs for the $46.5M winger (Knies) who could change everything”.

Not even making this up, Swear!!!

11 Jul 2026 14:20:16
Yeah I read the article. No information whatsoever about what would offer etc. Most likely generated AI for click bait.

11 Jul 2026 14:29:13
Ya, I just posted it for comic relief.

😂🤣😂

11 Jul 2026 15:16:20
I will give the Times of India props though. They are the 2nd largest selling English newspaper in the world. Sadly. What used to be our Bible when younger was The Hockey News and was a reliable source when Bob McKenzie was in charge.

Now it’s a shadow of its former self and no more informative than The Times of India. I've said it before that some people on here actually have better sources.

10 Jul 2026 04:57:44
So with Chayka's axe falling on so many employees today and some good ones. I am starting to raise a few eyebrows and seeing what some others saw and talked about when he was first hired. He had a reputation of being a big sneaky which has been already documented. But I thought it was very nasty that he fired Mark Leach who is a bit of a legend in scouting. He had huge input in Detroit drafting some crazy good players and there was a reason Jim Nill took him to Dallas when he left Detroit and his track record there to find and push players on management was crazy good there as well. This year was a no brainer with the First pick, but he drafted extremely well through the rest of the draft from all accounts of very knowledgeable hockey industry people.

Last year was his first year at the Table heading things up for the Leafs. They didn't have a first rounder and only had 6 total picks. Yet he managed to nab Koblar, Hopkins and Nansi with 3 of them. They were with McKenna and Danford, and Holinka the top 6 players at the Development camp. From all accounts Hayley Wickenheiser ran a Great Camp. So the draft is done, the camp is done. "Great job Mark and Hayley... Oh by the way you're fired." Good message to send to all your young prospects.

10 Jul 2026 22:34:49
It’s a business suffering
I think having 78 staff members with s***ty results for year’s tells you something?
I know where I have worked for 24 years now the boss is my age and a good owner but he has made some real tough decisions over time
Is he a jerk?
Perception is he is
But he is also successful at the business
He is very fair and generous in profit sharing and raises et al but is also very results oriented

Bottom line
We have waited years for Leafs success
This Chayka has done a crapload in a short time
I say what’s another two years shaved off my life waiting for that cup?
lol
Just my opinion
I respect yours as well.

10 Jul 2026 23:17:58
I understand some of the firings, some strike me as nepotism.

I would have kept Wickenheiser and Leach. I really liked what they brought.

Whether anyone wants to admit this or not, the Leafs have drafted quite well for the limited picks they have and also developed as well as can be expected without any A prospects.

I know it's easy to say nobody comes through the system, but they don't have any picks.

That has nothing to do with the people that are being let go, it's on the GM's/Shanny.

Knies was not a high pick, but I'm told he's worth more than anyone on this team. Where did that come from? Good drafting and development.

Amirov is the one unknown and that was just a sad story that I don't blame anyone for. As much as I do enjoy crapping on Dubas.

11 Jul 2026 16:46:01
Yeah the Amirov situation was extremely sad.