It's not that its not ideal to trade Marleau (it's not a good move don't get me wrong) but he has a NMC and chose to go to Toronto. He will not waive to leave Toronto. They are as much in contention to win a cup as any other high end team, so why would he leave? As a favor to Dubas? No chance.

Actually if you look at his contract he signed he probably doesnt intend on playing the 3rd season so he likely wont care. He only gets paid 1.25 mil of the total 18.75 after July 1st of next year. Totally possible his contract is moved

Darn it, I was going to say "What is it about 'No Movement Clause' that some of my fellow Toronto AGM's don't understand?", but you beat me to it.

Boy, THAT's an interesting fillip!

You must be new to the whole NHL salary structure I guess. If you cannot see how toronto gave Marleau basically a 2 year 8.75 mil per deal as a 3 year to lower the cap than I apologize

He wants to win a cup. If he is hovering around the 50 point mark again this season there is no chance he doesn't play the final year. He has to agree to any trade anyways (so if he's playing, why would he). being 35+, Toronto gets zero cap benefits from doing so. Their hope would be for him to retire (but I don't know how the cap recapture penalty would work there).

I like your dream. The third year of Patrick does get in the way. I agree Karlsson would look really good and Gardner not on the team please don’t wake me up.

If he retired the cap stays. But like everyone else these days he will likely fake an injury or the contract traded to a team like Arizona who wants to cap hit but not the cash payout. If he is still 40-50 pts than keep him and move out Zaitsev

unfortunately no other team wants zaitsev and his anchor.
besides the fact the marleau wont move his NTC even with the salary dive hes staying there for a chance to win. Matthwes will be 11Mill, Marner will be getting 8Mil especially if he waits the year and plays with either matthews or tavares. Nylander will be getting closer to 7 mill.
doubt there will be a 3.5 mill increase in cap as well.

so besides pipe dreams of adding karlsson long term it will be a struggle to keep the young core.

There best bet is trade picks and prospects to OTT for karlsson as a rental and try and recoupe some as you trade his rights before the draft

How can just make stuff like that he doesn't intend to play the 3rd season. You realize that Tavares just signed a contract with a 10m bonus paid in July and just 1m in salary from October to April. By your logic, Tavares isn't playing this season
Why would San Jose want his 6.25m cap hit? Thanks why they never signed him to three year contract. Folks just ignore the totally of Marleau's contract and the contracts so they can make their fantasy rosters.

You may be right about some things but your numbers are off. Nylander is not a 7 mil player. Marner is not a 8 mil. And AM instill think slides in below Tavares. Watch and see

Because Marleau is 40 year old and playing for 1 mil? Tavares is 27 and playing for another 67 in his career? You really don't get that?

If you re read I also said if he stays and plays that's great. This is a what if. You know one of those "for fun" things in life.

The you don't understand pro athletes. They play as long as they can. Guys even play on PTO and minimum to get one last kick at the can. Certainly Marleau if he playing well will want one last chance at a Cup.
Sorry all these Marleau trades are made so guys can make fantasy roster and give the Leafs more cap room.
Now I'll agree if suddenly Marleau stinks and wants to retire, (highly unlikely) he could be traded to cap deficient team in August 2019. But to trade him San Jose....foolish, for the reasons you gave.

Thats the bases on this thread. Just the "what is"