Marleau signed [3 years, $6.25mil AAV]

[herman]

Soshnikov also played his off wing while he was in the lineup, but I think he's Leivo's new buddy.

Hyman moving back to the right side would only make him more effective.

[riff raff]

I'm shocked, really. I thought he was using the Leafs as a bargaining manoeuver with San Jose.

I guess he really enjoyed playing for Mike Babcock. Wasn't there someone who said veterans wouldn't want to play for him?

[mr grieves]

I'm not sure whether this means Hyman's pushed down the line-up or JVR's been freed up to be traded for some defense, but either way the team's improved. And they seem to be going for it. Good.

[CarltonTheBear]

They need to find a way to at least get one of Kapanen or Soshinikov into lineup full time.  They are both excellent forecheckers and can play valuable pk minutes. Yes, you will argue that Moore and Marleau will do the same, but i see youthfulness as an asset in providing a more effective and relentless forecheck.

Kapanen is going to have to be patient. He'll either get his chance when JVR is traded, or maybe next season when JVR and Bozak potentially walk (which would open up 1 top-9 wing spot, or potentially 2 wing spots if Nylander slides to centre). He's also still exempt from waivers so him playing another season in the AHL wouldn't be the end of the world.

As far as Soshnikov goes, I don't see him being more than a 4th liner. Albeit, a 4th liner that I like. But with Martin taking up 1 spot, there's a lot of competition for the other spot so he's in a very tough situation. Any one of Hyman or Soshnikov or Kapanen or Leivo would be fine there.

[herman]

Marleau - Matthews - Marner/Kapanen
Komarov - Kadri - Brown/Marner
JvR - Nylander - Kapanen/Brown
Leivo - Moore - Hyman
Martin

Gardiner - Hainsey
Rielly - Zaitsev
Marincin - Carrick
Dermott - Marchenko

This assumes Bozak is the move out (for whoever lost out on Bonino).

We really have to play Marner with one of our LCs to get more out of him.

[L K]

That Matthews-Marner-Marleau line.  Mmm

[Joe S.]

Why does this automatically mean jvr is gone? Are trams only allowed to have 1 talented lw at a time?

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Why does this automatically mean jvr is gone? Are trams only allowed to have 1 talented lw at a time?

This move put the team over the cap without LTIR, considering JVR is in the last year of a contract that is paying him significantly less than he is worth, it's not a giant leap to suggest he needs to be traded before being lost for nothing.

Especially if he's the centrepiece of a deal that nets you a youngish RD.

[Nik the Trik]

Why does this automatically mean jvr is gone? Are trams only allowed to have 1 talented lw at a time?

It doesn't but as has been pointed out it creates a surplus of forwards who deserve roster spots and the guy with a lot of trade value who they really can't re-sign has always been the most logical trade option. The one real argument for not trading JVR was the team's lack of depth at LW and this addresses that.

[Joe S.]

I guess I just like jvr and I'm not as high in Leivo,  soshnikov or kapanen as top line forwards.

[Nik the Trik]

I guess I just like jvr and I'm not as high in Leivo,  soshnikov or kapanen as top line forwards.

I like JVR too but the realities of the cap are what they are. He's an expiring deal that can be turned into assets.

[princedpw]

I havent seen this mentioned but he has a full no-trade clause. That means that despite the salary structure, it may be undumpable... although the salary has to be like that for a reason ...

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I guess I just like jvr and I'm not as high in Leivo,  soshnikov or kapanen as top line forwards.

I like JVR too but the realities of the cap are what they are. He's an expiring deal that can be turned into assets.

Yeah, JVR probably comes in at 7AAV on a long term deal... Besides, I agree with above, if he can bring a youngish 1-2 defenseman, it's a no brainer.

[Nik the Trik]

I havent seen this mentioned but he has a full no-trade clause. That means that despite the salary structure, it may be undumpable... although the salary has to be like that for a reason ...

If the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of the deal is he plays two years and then retires then I don't see the NTC as a big problem.

[KadriFan]

I havent seen this mentioned but he has a full no-trade clause. That means that despite the salary structure, it may be undumpable... although the salary has to be like that for a reason ...

If the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of the deal is he plays two years and then retires then I don't see the NTC as a big problem.

If he retires after two, won't his 6.25M still go against the cap?