the timing of it all was just a disaster for the Leafs, just as they had to pay Mitch, Willie and AM the cap died. Yes other teams function in the same cap, but they didnt have 3 young stars all getting big raises at the same time.
extra cap space would allow them to keep Hyman. the 2021-2023 teams were good, having Hyman would help and whoever else they could add.it would compound because they had to spend draft capital to try and fill in the need for those players instead.
its amazing how Fast Tre tanked the team. he sucks
Or…don’t sign Tavares to the 2nd highest paying contract in the NHL and create a scenario where your young star players (who all have potential to be better) are all going to want more than that on their next deal.
Whether the cap went flat or went up, every single one of those young guys were going to demand more because of what they gave Tavares.
Also, if the Leafs actually knew how to draft players outside of the lottery picks, they might have had cheap depth on ELC. Instead, they draft pylons like Robertson who to this day have not stepped up into a meaningful role. The Leafs drafting on the blueline was even worse. Years of inept scouting did far more damage to this team than not being able to spend more money.
High player salaries is always the cop-out for Leafs fans and the franchise. Everybody seems to think you can just spend more money on UFAs and that’s what wins a Cup. Sorry folks but that only works in the MLB, not in the NHL. It didn’t work in 1998. It didn’t work in 2008. It won’t work in 2028. The Leafs need to spend 100 million on scouting and player development before they spend it on UFA salaries.