Jonas and James congregate on what would have been the week kicking off the start of playoffs and discuss the latest around the Maple Leafs after winning the Alexander Barabanov sweepstakes, as well as what the signing could mean for a team strapped for cap space. Looking at the big picture, the guys debate who the Leafs might have to move to stay cap compliant going forward, the future of RFAs Travis Dermott and Ilya Mikheyev, as well as if the league can do anything to lessen the impact of a stagnant cap ceiling when hockey returns. Plus, James prepares to break down a simulated first round playoff matchup between Leafs and Lightning with The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn.

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Cap Chaos: Barabanov Sweepstakes, Compliance Moves, RFA Futures + Fake Playoffs Preview

A weekly look at the Toronto Maple Leafs with The Athletic's Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle, featuring in-depth coverage of the Blue and White throughout the NHL season.

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Jonas and James recap the Maple Leafs game two win over Boston, and the dominant performance from star centre Auston Matthews and the overall effort of the first line. The guys praise the surprising contributions of the 4th line, the need to stay out of the box, and to be more disciplined, Sheldon Keefe sticking with the same lineup after a terrible effort in game one, Ilya Samsonov's better performance in game 2, specialty team concerns, how to get Mitch Marner on track, and they provide an update on William Nylander.
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Dominant Auston Matthews plays his best postseason game to date

Jonas and James look back on the regular season of the Maple Leafs, led by the historic season by Auston Matthews and his 69 goals.
The boys turn the page on the regular season and look ahead to the first round series with arch nemesis, the Boston Bruins and discuss some of the biggest question marks coming into the series including the goaltending, what six defenders will draw in, who will win the specialty teams battle and if the core four can finally overcome their Bruin demons?
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Maple Leafs to meet the Bruins in round one as Auston Matthews quest for 70 ends

Jonas and James marvel at the scoring prowess of Auston Matthews and if the Maple Leafs should rest him in the final game if he hasn't reached the 70 goal mark?
The guys take a look at the defensive pairings, wondering if Ilya Lyubushkin and Timothy Liljegren will draw into the Leafs top 6 when the playoffs start, the resurgent TJ Brodie a tired William Nylander who has slowed down of late and who of Nick Robertson, Ryan Reaves, Connor Dewar and Pontus Holmberg will be the odd man out with a healthy Leaf lineup ready to begin the playoffs?
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Auston Matthews 66 goals are the most in the NHL cap era

Jonas and James discuss the Maple Leafs games this week vs the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, Auston Matthews quest to reach the 70 goal plateau and if the 70 goal benchmark is more impressive than 100 assists in a season. The guys tackle five questions ahead of game one of the playoffs, including should TJ Brodie play, has Ryan Reaves done enough to draw in, will Max Domi be the third line centre, who will skate with Matthews and what has Sheldon Keefe more concerned, the penalty kill or the powerplay?
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Five important questions for the Maple Leafs ahead of game one of the playoffs

Jonas and James discuss Sheldon Keefe's tough love for the Maple Leafs after a disappointing effort vs the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, including calling out his veterans, most notably Captain John Tavares. The guys talk about the rash of injuries to the team including Mitch Marner, Ilya Samsonov, Calle Järnkrok, Joel Edmundson, Mark Giordano and Morgan Rielly. The guys talk about who should get the next two starts in goal for the Leafs vs Washington and Buffalo, and where they would slot T.J. Brodie moving forward.
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Cap Chaos: Barabanov Sweepstakes, Compliance Moves, RFA Futures + Fake Playoffs Preview

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