So far, the Toronto Maple Leafs are steering in the right direction – but that can be derailed, even slightly, by a few bad contracts. The Leafs need to draft, sign and develop their young talent just like the Lightning, but avoid poisonous contracts – which they’re currently doing.
Money is tight in Tampa because Ryan Callahan, Valterri Filppula, Matthew Carle and Jason Garrison combine for a cap hit of $20.9M. That’s a lot of coin to pay four players who could be replaced by cheaper alternatives. Brayden Coburn’s new cap hit of $3.7M (starting next season) keeps him off this list because even at a $4.