In Craig Custance’s new book coming out (The Franchise) Dubas said his biggest mistake with the Leafs was his handling of the big 3 RFA contracts (Matthews, Marner, and Nylander).
Summary
- Fans believe Dubas made separate mistakes in handling Matthews, Marner, and Nylander’s RFA contracts.
- The decision to pay RFAs at UFA value cost the Leafs millions in cap space.
- Ownership’s role in contract negotiations and signings was heavily criticized.
- Tying up $35M+ in 4 forwards, including Tavares, was a major point of contention.
Evaluating the RFA Contracts
EatonHass_24-7 pointed out that each RFA contract should be considered a separate mistake, not one collective error.
Ownership’s Influence
mdlt97 highlighted the negative impact of ownership in the contract negotiations and how it affected the team’s financial flexibility.
Matthews’ Controversial Contract
Rockhardwood expressed concerns about Matthews’ contract structure and length, emphasizing lost savings potential during critical years.
Awayfromcanuck defended Nylander’s contract while critiquing Marner’s compensation that resembled a UFA deal.
Tavares’ Signing Fallout
Mediumyeet argued that Tavares’ $11M signing was the pivotal mistake, diverting resources from critical defensive needs.
another_plebeian simply agreed with the sentiment echoed in the thread.