This is me tweaking an idea shared by Matt 8330. I am NOT assuming it comes with an extension, even though I am confident Chicago would get one done eventually.
I'm certainly not suggesting my tweak is foolproof - it may come off as more of a term, I dunno. I'm really just spitballing a concept with Marner/Jones as the base.
Toronto gets Jones, their probably late-ish 25 1st back and moves out Kampf, leaving them plenty of cap to go get another top 6 RD in UFA. Plus, the talented Reichel bought a little low and a high 3rd this summer to give the prospect pool some sorely needed depth.
Chicago gets Marner, who they eventually keep, because his particular talents are probably just the right ones to help Bedard reach a new level. They also get a potential top 4 RD and two wily bottom 6 guys, one an old friend, to help them stay in more games during this growing pains phase.
CHI should not be interested in trading assets for Marner at all, let alone trading some pretty valuable assets to TOR without an extension already in place. I doubt CHI is interested in moving Jones either. This just isn't happening. Or, at least, it shouldn't.
CHI should not be interested in trading assets for Marner at all, let alone trading some pretty valuable assets to TOR without an extension already in place. I doubt CHI is interested in moving Jones either. This just isn't happening. Or, at least, it shouldn't.
Setting aside the rest (either because I agree with your point or because it's not super relevant), having Marner would likely do far more for you than having Jones, both next season and moving forward.
If you're alluding to some inner team/management aspect I'm unaware of, cool. Based solely on what works best for them, ehh... don't agree on that part at all.
But it's not like my mission is to help the Hawks, man. I'd settle for giving Toronto AGMers a new obsession.