NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2024
What’s the latest Leafs speculation? Could the Avalanche part ways with Valeri Nichushkin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes whoever becomes the next head coach of the Maple Leafs will want to know what the team will look like entering training camp in September. They’ll want to know how serious the club could be about potential roster changes, which could include trading winger Mitch Marner if he agrees to waive his no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Koshan suggested prospective Leafs coaches might want a chance to work with Marner. That could affect who becomes their next head coach as well as their roster plans for next season.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown looked at whether the Blackhawks could afford to acquire Marner if he becomes available in the trade market.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
One rumor making the rounds is the Marner-for-Seth Jones narrative. While the Leafs could use a defenseman of Jones’ caliber, they’re also trying to simplify their salary-cap situation. Taking his $9.5 million annual cap hit for the next six years isn’t optimal even with John Tavares’ cap hit coming off their books at the end of next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jones’ contract is the issue I have with the proposed trade that would send the 29-year-old defenseman to Toronto as part of the return for Marner. When the Columbus Blue Jackets were shopping him in 2021, it was rumored the Canadian teams were on his 10-team no-trade list. If so, Jones won’t waive the NMC on his current deal to join the Leafs.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wonders where the Leafs and team captain John Tavares go from here. The 33-year-old center has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $11 million and a full NMC.
Tavares has shown no inclination that he wants out of Toronto. However, his base salary for next season will be $910 after receiving his $7.04 million signing bonus on July 1. Fox believes that could make Tavares enticing to clubs like Chicago, Anaheim, San Jose and Buffalo that would prefer saving real dollars and have cap space to spare.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Tavares won’t waive his NMC it won’t matter what his actual salary is and whether budget teams would be interested in him. At his age, he wants a Stanley Cup as soon as possible. He won’t win it by joining a rebuilding club.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons claims there is interest in Marner and Tavares around the league. “What they’re willing to give up, to take on an $11 million player, that’s the better question.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs won’t get equal value for Marner or Tavares if they agree to be traded. That doesn’t mean they’ll have to accept scraps and castoffs, but they won’t get a comparable talent in return.
Marner or Tavares probably won’t accept a move to a rebuilding club. They could prefer playing out next season in Toronto and trying their luck in next summer’s free-agent market.
Even if Marner or Tavares accepts a trade, the receiving team will want assurances they’ll sign a contract extension. No club will give up valuable trade assets for either guy if they’re going to depart next summer.
COULD THE AVALANCHE PART WAYS WITH VALERI NICHUSHKIN?
THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler thinks it’s time for the Colorado Avalanche to part company with Valeri Nichushkin after he entered Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He is suspended without pay until November when he can apply for reinstatement.
This is the second straight postseason that Nichushkin has needed a leave of absence to deal with personal issues. Keeler believes the Avalanche need a winger they can rely on to keep their Stanley Cup window open.
Keeler acknowledged Nichushkin’s issues that sent him into his second stint in the assistance program. However, he wondered if the Avalanche could trust him again after this. He considers the winger too unreliable and too much of a risk to be a pillar of the club’s core.
Nichushkin has six seasons remaining on his eight-year, $49 million contract. His 12-team no-trade clause kicks in next July.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes there is no easy answer for the Avalanche.
A league source confirmed Nichushkin’s $6.125 million AAV won’t count against the Avs’ cap payroll next season while he’s serving his suspension. It will apply once he’s reinstated and returns to the lineup.
Entering Stage 3 of the player assistance program isn’t grounds for contract termination.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: What’s important right now is that Nichushkin receives the necessary treatment and support. What happens with his playing career will have to wait until after he’s exited Stage 3 of the program.
The Avalanche could attempt to move Nichushkin once he’s served his suspension. Despite his skills, his trade value will be low after this. Any club willing to take the chance will want to see how well he performs over the remainder of next season.
Tough spot for the Av’s, their playoffs is coming to a close.
How can you trust the player ever again, always going to be on the team minds, when it comes to playoff time.
9 goals in the playoffs. You’re not getting equal value for him in a trade. It’s a tough one.
Hopefully Nichushkin, wants the help and gets better.
In my experience, every drug addict has an underlying psychological/emotional disability. Someone needs to help Nichushkin understand and learn to deal with his disability or the program won’t help.
BTW, for those ready to dispute my statement, I’m a veteran with PTSD who has been in and out of counseling for 40 years.
No problem believing that, Paul.
I will repeat what I posted on today’s other rumors section, how is suspending someone without pay for 6 months a help?
Here is an excerpt from the NHLPA on the program:
“Players continue to be paid while they step away from hockey and focus on themselves.”
So you get paid at Step 1 if you need the program.
But if you really need help via Step 2 or 3, then no pay.
Absurd and counter productive.
The way I read the “steps” in the NHL program, they don’t seem to be different levels of support. They are really counts of how many times you got caught (think Strike 1, Strike 2, etc instead of Step 1, Step 2).
So basically on his 3rd strike it’s a 6 month suspension no pay.
A 4th strike is a 1 year suspension, no pay.
Not sure what comes after that.
No dispute cause you are right. But drug addict is not the current correct verbiage. Person with substance use disorder.
Woke b.s. It is what it is. You’re addicted to a drug … you’re a drug addict.
What’s next, changing “drunk” to ‘alcohol abuse disorder?”
Language can have a very profound effect on the ongoing stigma faced by those suffering from sud and mental illness George. Unless medicine is somehow going “woke” those are the accepted medically appropriate terms.
And yes George. Aud or alcohol use disorder is the correct terminology.
We don’t refer to aids as grid anymore.
I wouldn’t dare call someone with Alzheimer’s demented or senile. Or should I? If it means I’m not being woke.
I AM a drug addict, nearly 40 years clean. Changing the name doesn’t change the fact and since the addict needs to face his addiction before he gets better, softening the terminology is a disservice.
Congrats Paul. I’ve only got ten. I’m glad you’ve found the inner and external resources to help you on that journey. You should be proud. But denigrating the improvements in healthcare to de stigmatize Sud only enables those in healthcare to continue to treat them like garbage. To treat you like garbage. Or your children cause they have a family history of sud.
No one is softening anything Paul.
Chrisms, I have never respected you more than I do now for your response. Softening the language reduces the stigma associated with various mental health issues. Those that complain using the term “woke” as a negative just want to be jerks and not get called out on it. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Can someone explain, “ but they won’t get a comparable talent in return.”
I’m asking because I don’t quite get that. Are we taking things at face value, ie 90pt winger and 65pt center for another 90pt winger and 65pt center? Does receiving $20M in cap space not count? Of course some of those cap savings will be taken up by the returning players in a deal but for a team that’s been in a cap bind since, forever, and been so over balanced not see value (for the trading team) in trading them.
It’s true that no one should want to trade a premiere playmaking forward in his prime from your team. Or a center from a team that still hasn’t figured out its centers beyond the top line. Really good players are hard to find. Again the easy quick fix in a trade might not be the route this team takes which could mean anything including “losing” a trade or something deemed disappointing or unexpected. Is everyone so sure that it’s these two players or lack of certain type of players over the past 6 years been the culprit as to make changes before a new bench boss takes over? Especially when you consider the way the team lost has been identical year after year – poor no show special teams, poor no show elimination games, poor no show when playing lesser opponents, poor no show goals (area) scored?
Problems go further than just two players.
I don’t pin all the blame on one player and for the record I would keep Tavares- he played hard in the playoffs and truthfully just this year slowed down. Marner is another animal. I just don’t see him being able to elevate to the level of physicality needed in the playoffs , not just throwing hits but being able to take them. He has not adapted his game come playoff time- you see changes in Matthews and Nylander. He is unable to cycle on the wall and easily knocked off the puck and thats huge for me – again just my opinion. Bigger thing for me is for me that he will want a raise!!! Thats just who he and his camp are, you know he wont take less than Nylander and you cannot justify giving him even his current salary so only logical solution is to move him
I also found it notable that his “ankle sprain” wasn’t mentioned by the GM and Pres at the end of year meeting. In previous years they would go out of their way to protect or defend him.. They want him out, will he go?
He would be silly to stay. Despite his playoff performance he had a good regular season, he may not repeat that if he chooses to stay and isnt given prime PP time and favorable linemates. So best to try to secure an extension coming off a good year. Also safe to say the teams that would have room for his as a UFA next year wont change much from those that have interest this summer..
It certainly looks like this is the second time he has let his personal alcohol -drug use interfer with his being able to do his job when it it is crunch tine and he is REALLY needed. He didn’t check himself out;he was surprise tested and suspended. I guess the Avs go on and just not look at him as player they can count on, because the issues have shown he isn’t.
RE-leaf
I would say Marnier gets moved bye the summer
hopfully we dont have to hear about him all Summer going hear there and everywhere…
Any trade will be for a d/man, 1st choice a Rd/man but they could pick one up in the UFA july 1st period
so it could be a LD/man
Top Marneir trade destinations
1/ Chicago for RD, S Jones
2/ Pred’s for Sarios & Luke Scenne
3/ Blues Colton Parayko & Jordan Binnington
4/ Utah for there 6th pick & 2nd pick and a good prospect, they have $43.M in Cap space
Long Shot….. To Boston for Ullmark & RW Fabian Lysell’ But i dont think they trade with Boston
Williew Toronto will never trade goalies with Boston after the Raycroft / Rask trade!
What about the other 3 trade proposals….❓
I thought I would just put that out there as the leafs need a starter in Net….
That’s if they want to go anywhere
As Woll is Alway Hurt‼️
Way overvaluing Marner.
Chrisms
Care to expand on that comment?
Marner is a 1st line RW. Likely Top 10 in the league.
You want to talk overvalued? Seth Jones has very similar stats to Morgan Rielly yet costs $2M more against the cap.
If the Leafs are truly trading Marner they should value the new found cap space as much or more than the returning player.
Toronto needs help at RD and a reliable starting goalie.
If Saros is available they must inquire.
Pesce or Montour would be nice additions to the back end.
If Calgary is in re-tool mode perhaps they’d listen on Lindholm or Weegar.
Not sure if Markstrom would be a worthwhile target as he’s not far removed from a season with a .892SV%
Fair enough. That first one is about accurate. The others though? Not for a nearly 11 mil cap hit soon to be fa.
Kinda with chrisms on this. Marner is a very good player, but that is not what is driving down his value.
He has a year left before UFA, a full NMC, and a huge cap hit.
1 – Only a few contenders will have the space for an $11M player and they know who else does. Contenders don’t trade away really good players very often as they are trying to add to their team, not subtract. Limited market of who can make an offer of any kind.
2 – The 1 year left means teams are only getting him for a year. Unless he agrees to sign an extension. Maybe he wants to hit UFA and go anywhere he wants in a year? I might want that.
3 – He has a full NMC which means Marner is only going to and signing an extension with a team of his choosing or he simply waits. So only one team to negotiate with? 2?
Would you move top players if you were the team he agree to go to and your trying to win now? Or do you wait for the Leafs to make the decision to take what they can get, or simply keep him, and get nothing.
If I am that team, I would offer 50 cents on the $ and see just how desperate they are to move him.
IMO here is a reasonable chance the Leafs don’t like the return, and try to extend him. Wait a year for Tavares contract to expire, unless he changes his mind and agrees to waive.
When both Tavares and Marber are gone, doesn’t that leave a big hole up front?
M Mariner is a 85 to 100 point RW @27 yrs old…
Someone will pick him up they don’t grow on trees
I’m Not a big $11.M Mariner fan, but the leafs have Major Cap Problems & need to add 2X top 4 d/men and a Starter in net
This Re-tool may take 2 year’s until they unload $11.M John Tavares next year ⁉️⁉️
Some valid points there Ray but I don’t think – based on what we’ve seen before, GMs look at it that way but more like how can I get him on my team. That seems to be the M.O. of the Knights and I’m sure of most teams GMs are too…just many don’t have the fortitude to do what Vegas has.
I would want a player who’s just 27 and perennial 90+ pts per year even if his postseason play isn’t there yet. Yet being the operative word there. We really have no idea how Marner will be with a different type of team. He could just as easily evolve as he could regress. Like isn’t that why we like trade talk so much, to see how a certain piece fits within another structure/team?
Ya maybe Ron, if somebody luv’s the player.
You mention Vegas, Stone is kind of comparable as he was in his final season, but the return OTT got wasn’t much. Sure isn’t compared to some of the proposals I have seen on here.
They paid more for Eichel, but he is way more valuable than Marner, and was signed with plenty of term. Yes I know he had a back issue, but Vegas was right about that and so was Eichel. Likely drove the price down though.
Hall went for sweet FA to BOS at the deadline as he had a full NMC and picked BOS. Marner is a better player, but Hall had won an MVP not long before that trade.
Just trying to think of a comparable, nothing is coming to me. Other than those few.
The Blues are going to take Marner, and his 11 million cap hit, whose numbers are inflated due to his linemates, and give Benny, and Colton…..Oh Boy. Gotta Love TML fans. “Take our problem and give us two of your best players”
You have two?
Brian, not a Leafs fan here do this has nothing to do with being a “homer” or “fan-boy” – but if and when they ever do trade Marner, many in here may have their eyes opened to discover he was inflating his linemate’s numbers.
Playing at a wing but handling the puck like a C, whether or not anyone thinks he “makes too much,” to this observer he is one of THE best playmakers in the game today. Anywhere.
LOL
Lyle, will there be a special buy-out window for Nichushkin when he returns? Or will the Avs have to wait till next summer?
Johnny, why would you want to buy out Nichuskin? He is suspended without pay. When he is cleared to play, trade him to a non-playoff team where he won’t be subjected to as many drug tests.
Oh, there’s a great idea. Give up on him and, in doing so, reduce how many drug screens he does, sending the message that no one cares. What else would you suggest? Electro-convulsive therapy? Sticking him in a dungeon and ignoring him? Why don’t you just hand him a fistful of fentanyl and wash your hands of him?
Paul, Nicushkin has deeply hurt his team in two consecutive years. Time to move on for a fresh start in another city.
IF and when he is cleared to return, it will be because Valeri has been drug free for a period of time. Easing back in to the NHL on a non-contender should mean playing in a less stressful environment and would support his ongoing rehabilitation. Throwing Nicushkin back into a pressure cooker seems like a recipe for disaster.
Why do we think players on crappy teams get drug tested less? Did I miss a memo?
Ray, if Nichushkin had been a member of Columbus this year, would the NHL be chasing him down in May for a drug test while he is off on vacation or back in Russia?
Shortly after scoring 9 goals in 8 playoff games, Valeri is asked to submit to a (random?) drug test. Was every other player on the 8 remaining Cup Contenders also tested? I am skeptical.
I have no idea how the random drug testing works Hammer. Care to offer some insight?
But thinking every player gets tested sooner or later. Kind of randomly. If I was running the program I would recommend that players who have had problems in the past get tested more often for a period of time as part of the program that the NHLPA agrees to. History suggests they seem to be more likely to fall back into addiction and if the goal is to stop, that would seem to add another incentive to do so.
Not sure what the caliber of the team they are playing for has to do with it, since the goal is to treat the player and get them off the drugs.
Paul,
If he worked for Microsoft, Starbucks, Walmart, A Law firm , McDonald’s and was a repeat offender, what do you think the outcome would be?
Most companies aren’t going to pay you while you rehab / clean up your life. By law in the US a company is only required to offer you 12 weeks of FMLA (which doesn’t pay anything, it simply keeps your job / position protected during your leave). And even that comes with requirements to even be eligible.
I’ve been surrounded by this my entire life. Nobody can help Nichushkin but Nichushkin.
Trying to save someone who has no desire to be saved is a waste of time. Enabling someone to continue down that path isn’t healthy for anyone involved.
Corny but true:
“Salvation comes from within”
Plenty of comments here suggestive of addiction and substance abuse. I don’t even know what drug was found in Nichushkin’s system. Maybe he is just a casual coke user who enjoys partaking while out partying.
Never touched coke myself, but decades ago some of my co-workers, including management, would occasionally do coke on off days. Never hindered the quality of their work output.
About 5 years ago, there was an article on The Athletic, detailing the increased use of cocaine and molly among NHL players. Allegedly, even some of the top players were using the drugs recreationally.
Nich was already in the monitoring program. That’s comes with random drug tests. So no matter what team he plays on he would be subjected to the same random tests.
Fair enough Hammer, for sure there are folks like that and are recreational. Definitely NHL players, as I have read the same thing.
I have indulged, got into it too much for a bit in my 20’s (a year), and stopped. It’s kinda like Lays, nobody has just one, you finish the bag once you start. And you don’t feel particularly good the next morning, a bit strung out as they say.
One would think that if he couldn’t lay off it during the season when there is drug testing and especially in the playoffs, he has been treated before; he either has a problem, doesn’t really give a crap about his team, or is an idiot.
I would guess he has a hard time stopping once he starts.
There is no special buyout window. The earliest the Avs could go that route is next June.
Karl Taylor may be next leafs coach.
Re “The Leafs won’t get equal value for Marner or Tavares if they agree to be traded. That doesn’t mean they’ll have to accept scraps and castoffs, but they won’t get a comparable talent in return.
Marner or Tavares probably won’t accept a move to a rebuilding club. They could prefer playing out next season in Toronto and trying their luck in next summer’s free-agent market.”
Fully agree that 34 year old Tavares, IF he agrees to go, would only accept to a contender. Marner, probably only to a contender but not for sure
Agree that they won’t get true equal value (again IF they agree to be traded) IF a team is receiving them at current Cap hit
Both are Toronto “home-boys”, both would like to stay, both have full trade protection
Any trade would have to be (1) to a team THEY choose (low number; (2) that has space (definitely a lower number of teams than in #1 above; (3) that has assets Leafs want (lower the number of teams from #2 above); (4) that is willing to give up same assets (lower number of teams again)
After all that…. Maybe two teams (??) meet all 4 above
That’s at full Cap hit
The number of teams that fit all 4 above when the Cap hit is only 25% must be tremendously more that at 100% Cap hit
Both have big signing bonuses
After signing bonuses paid; Tavares owed just $910 K, Marner but $775 K
Getting two rebuilding teams (who are looking at futures… prospects or picks) to take on (combined) $680 K (if Tavares) and $580 K (Marner); gets final team getting Marner at a Cap hit of just $2.7 M, Tavares at just $2.8 M
At those Cap hits, the door is open to many suitors and the return is maximized.
The cost in assets to have two teams combine to retain between $580 K – $680 K is likely a fair prospect and a mid rounder
I can easily see Marner (@ $2.7 M Cap hit) bring in a 1st, prospect, AND roster mid 20’s (with term) top 6 winger OR 2nd pairing D, OR goalie , in the $4.5 M – $7 M Cap range (netting Leafs $3.9 M to $6.4 M in space). The prospect could go to one of the two retaining teams; therefore having Leafs flip Marner and a mid-rounder for
1) roster mid 20’s (with term) top 6 winger OR 2nd pairing D, OR goalie; and
2) a 1st (can be used in another trade) ;and
3) approximately $4 M – $6 M in net Cap space opened up (use 1st in #2 above , plus a Leafs prospect to get what Leafs didn’t acquire in #1 above
This is the toute I think they should at least explore
Very complicated so actually happening is likely a very low probability
They should however at least make some calls to test feasibility
At the very least , Treliving is going to have to have the “waive and to where(if possible)” conversation with both Tavares and Marner
Hoping for Leafs to sign anybody NOT named Berube; AND Sullivan to Devils; so that Berube can sign with Pens
He is exactly the type of coach Pens need
if you know Kyle Dubas’ style at all, he is exactly the kind of coach he would never hire…
You are probably right
Hoping you are wrong
There is nothing wrong with Mike Sullivan…we don’t need Keefe, we don’t need Berube, we don’t need McLellan.
Moving on !
Black and Gold
There certainly id nothing wrong with Sullivan the man. He is liked.
As a coach; I’d think he’d do alright in another location.
He’s just lost his way with the Pens
His line up decisions; line changes mid game ; etc , are not working.
They haven’t been working for two years now
His repeatedly going to bat for Reirdon sealed my thoughts on Sullivan
He saw how badly Reirdon was doing coaching the powerplay. Sullivan could have switched duties for his assistant coaches anytime
I truly believe what is best for Pens is a new coach
Some traded will be made; but a new coach will have the greatest impact
It must not be Keefe and can’t see any route in which Rod the Bod comes here
The best coach available for Pens is Berube
You can keep your ex flyer meatheads. 🤮
Bygones be bygones
Berube is exactly the type of coach we need,
Sullivan has definitely lost his way
Absolutely no way to Keefe
Who would be your coaching choice to help Pens out of this mess?
Rod the Bod would be s huge longshot
I’m ok with sully till this core is gone. Reitden is gone. I’d like to see an assistant coach hired though that could be a natural replacement for Mike. Put some pressure on. Bruce?
Meathead? Shouldn’t that be “brain-tissue deprived?”
Funny how that works. eh?
Bruce in place of Sullivan ; yes would be an improvement to the team. Agree.
But, to me, best for Pens is Berube
Pens can’t do a full overhaul
They need a change to end the core 3’s careers
There will be roster changes; but with Dubas; these can’t be counted on to be done properly
Even with f he gets a couple right; still not enough
Moving Accairi, Eller, Smith, bringing in 3 guys 26-28 with size and grit; Sullivan out, Berube in…. Makes Pens playoff bound next spring
“Tweaks” and keeping Sullivan; same thing next spring, outside looking in with only 3%-4% chance of moving up in the draft (the dreaded no-mans land)
Meathead was in reference to him being a goon. Not to a medical diagnosis George. But I think you knew that.
I wonder about your Eller thing. He was pretty much exactly the third line center they needed. Defensive play was good. Points were on par with a decent third line center. He was the least of the pens problems.
Yeah, but as you say “words can hurt.” Guess that doesn’t matter if referring to a Flyer.
Based on what?
Why does no one think that Woll can be a number one netminder. I see nothing in his development in the Leaf’s pressure cooker to suggest he hasn’t the value; he’s been generally good, excellent sometimes, under ridiculous stress. Has a pedigree, sound mechanics, and is affordable. Especially if the players under trade consideration insist on keeping the band together for one more tour; it’d be reasonable to give him the net and see if he’s ready to run with it; life would be easier then if you were trading for a veteran backup.
Berube isn’t the coach for the Penguins they aren’t built for that..
Period..
If it was a total rebuild yes but it is not.. Crosby is playing a an elite level 94 points a great two way player…maybe surround him with a little bit more .. Dubas needs to shine this off season.
unfortunately the Penguins had tow years of idiots Hextall and Burke who are useless… they did nothing for two years.
Dubas has now been here a year has a better pulse moving forward
Marner is s generational talent built to get other stars maximum goal and point production in the regular season and then either can’t or refuses to be a playoff performer. When his time and space is cut, he plays on the periphery. Opponents know he’s a disappearing act.
So by trading him is Matthews going to get 70 goals next year? Who’s going to pass him the puck? Tyler Bertuzzi? Ryan Reaves? Calle Jarnkrok?
Get a coach who holds players like Marner accountable. Play hard or play less. Strip him of his “A” and give it to someone who exemplifies the leadership that’s needed.
Trading Tavares and Rielly first makes more sense.
Habs trying to speed up their chances of being in next year’s
playoffs could go after Marner if he is willing to sign there. Habs would need to move a contract out though.
How about to Montreal Marner to Leafs a 2025 1st Logan Mailloux and 2025 dallas 2nd
To Hawks Josh Anderson 2024 (winnipeg)1st and Nick Robertson
Habs could also try to pick up top six winger via UFA and draft one with pick # 5.
Leafs get a young rd ready to start on nhl and some draft picks for 2025 plus cap space to sign a dman or two .plus have Cowen coming next year.
Hawks get Anderson ,not a total cap dump but way over paid player under contract for 3 more years N Robertson gets a change of scenery
Mitch Marshmallow is soft – not a guy to trust in the playoffs. No team is going to give “fair” value – but what is fair value? Who cares about 90 points if you are gone in the first round. It is about a player who will sacrifice. Leafs should be happy to move Marner for a 2nd rounder and a prospect and take the cap space and run.
Here’s a thought. If I am Treliving, I am asking Tavares to sign a 3 year extension on July 1, at a discount rate of 5-6 million.
I’m an Islander fan who has no love for JT, but the guy held up his end of the contract. It’s not his fault that the Leafs overpaid’
He may not be an 11 million dollar player anymore but how good would he look at half price?
He’s made enough money. He can sign a team friendly extension and be a HERO again.
The new contract erases the 11 million hatred.
JT stays home. Gives up the “C” to AM.
Leafs get a deep discount and Cap Room.
Roster gets a solid 65 point player for 4 more years.
Everybody wins!!!