Will Sundin, Tucker or both be traded before the trade deadline? This question is starting to make the rounds and will keep on going until either they are traded, or until they are signed. Can they afford both? Sundin has a team option for $4.56 million, but the problem is $6.333 counts against the salary cap. Tucker is having another solid season this year and most likely would get a contract worth between $4-5 million a year. So to bring back both, let’s say it would cost the Leafs $10.5 million. McCabe, Kaberle, Kubina and Gill will cost the Leafs about $17 million next year. These 6 players would take up about $27.5 million in cap space.
The salary cap maybe increasing next season, but probably only by $2-3 million, putting it around $46-48 million. Subtracting the 6 player’s salaries from the higher amount, it would leave the Leafs with about $21.5 million to fill out the remaining roster. I don't have a list of players or salaries that the Leafs have under contract for next year, so I'm not sure how much money is tied up in the remaining roster. My guess is there is not a lot of space left to improve this team, and we've seen this year that they'll struggle to make the playoffs.
They have to trade at least one of them in my opinion, preferably both. If they didn't signed McCabe and Kubina to huge long term contracts, they may have been able to afford both. Sundin has a no-trade clause so sending him somewhere is limited. Calgary, Dallas, Edmonton and San Jose would be interested in acquiring Tucker according to TSN.ca. The Leafs need young players with offensive talent that are forwards. High draft picks would be good, but we all know the Leafs drafting history, so draft picks may not be the best idea (a great draft history site - www.mynhldraft.com). Management has to stop kidding themselves that this team has a chance of competing deep into the playoffs, they will be lucky to make the playoffs. If you’re going to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season, you have to face the fact that you need to start to rebuild. There are no standout forward prospects that would make an impact with the team in the next year or two. Collect as many solid prospects as you can by trading both Sundin and Tucker. Build for future; give us fans at least something to look forward to, and not another mediocre team with no direction.
Let the Rumors Begin… Friday, December 15, 2006
19 Dec 2006 at 03:39 am | #
I understand that you would prefer the Leafs to know when to ‘fold them’, but do you really want to leave the trading of Sundin or Tucker up to your current General Manager?
The Leetch and Raycroft deals seem very sketchy.
Evan,
http://www.theNHLarena.com
19 Dec 2006 at 09:49 pm | #
If Sundin and/or Tucker are going to walk at the end of the season; if Leaf management feel they are not worth the money, then getting anything is better than nothing. If they don’t trade Sundin, I can see Ferguson throwing a boat of money at him to keep him happy.
The Raycroft deal is too hard to predict at the moment since it’s only 34 games into it. Raycroft hasn’t played that bad for the Leafs. His goals against is probably close to the bottom for starting goalies, but overall team play isn’t reflected in the stat. Leaf forwards and defense has collapsed in front of him numerous times this season. Rask’s stock could drop. Eric Fichaud was also a blue chip goalie prospect years ago.
Regarding Leetch, sometimes you have to take risks. If the Leafs had won the cup or made it too the finals, is it a bad deal? That’s the problem with a lot of deadline deals involving big names for prospects/draft picks. If the team wins, it’s great, if they don’t, it’s terrible. As a G.M., if you feel that you are close, you need to go it.