This roster was just about the smarter move to sign the stars as a package. People crap on Edmonton a lot, but they were smart both times they locked up their core on deals that were contingent on their other stars signing at the same time.

Make up whatever trades you want for Gardiner and Zaitsev. Trading for other D is possible but that's not the point of this roster.

If Petrovic is not available as a UFA, you can bring in one of a long list of vets for 1-2 million. Like Luke Schenn
The D might be shaky, but at least the ice time is going to players with potential. After Marleau and Horton are gone, there will be a lot more flexibility to make improvements. If Sparks can steal the crease from Andersen, that will open up another set of possibilities.

Yaaaa marner at under 9 is wishful thinking. Under 7? Laughable

If there's a choice between Nylander at $6.75 and Marner at $7. Dubas would know he should keep Nylander. Anything beyond $500k more for Marner than Nylander, and Dubas knows he needs to refuse

The last time the Leafs paid someone like Crosby, it was Kessel at $8x8. He was a tier below, so it was a mistake.
There's just a cliff between the elite, and very good players in the league. Elite players can double the output of a very good player, so it's reasonable to pay them double the money.
Edmonton sees that now, not with McDavid, but by paying anybody -- Draisatl in this case -- in that no man's land range of $7 to $10 million.
Anything above about $7 and you need to be among the best in the league at your role, which means the best on your team, but there's 2 guys on the Leafs that will always be better than Marner.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I will be shocked if Marner gets 8 from Dubas. I'll even be surprised if he gets more than 7 tbh.

Why do Leafs fans always want to trade Zaitsev? He had a great first year, was injured last year and has played great this year. I don't get it? TiBo23 shakes his head....

Salary cap

for the same reason they chased Kessel out of town so he could win 2 stanley cups?

*Ouch* I liked Kessel...

it's hard not to like Kessel, unless you are the media and he's calling them idiots

Kessel should have won a Conn Smythe if we are gonna be honest...

fwiw. Both Zaitsev and Gardiner score more than Petrovic (or his teammate Pysyk who is similar), and are probably better puck movers.

The Leafs won't miss the scoring thanks to the best top 2 forward lines in hockey, although they would get some of that back when Rielly can trust he's covered by his partner.

The Leafs will add a bunch of stuff for when they don't have possession. Slowing the game down, playing rough. The game against Calgary showed that the team is very weak when without possession, that Matthews and Nylander have made Gardiner and Zaitsev look much better than they actually are defensively.

That game was a one off for Babcock. The Leafs are not the 90's NJ Devils. Was that not one of the most boring two periods in history.

Marner is the 2nd best player on the team.... He's going to get 8.

Dude. He's getting 9+. Also, no, elite players do not double the production of good players

You signed petrovic for more....

Yeah you’re right if Pastrnak is making 9m marner should too... uhhhh.. wait....

That's just a good contract is all. He'll ask for more than draisaitl for sure

7-8m seems fair...

Oh sorry I forgot.... Pastrnak is a good contract.... Boston gets good contracts but Toronto has to pay more for their players.... not making much sense.

Kucherov has to put up 100 points to get that kind of money but marner can have it for less than 70 points and less goals.... because reasons...

I love marner but is he really the third best right winger in the league? Top 10 forward? Worth more than anyone on your team? Is our third best player better than any Bruin? Fair value for marner would be 7-8m. If he puts up over 100 points this year then yeah, maybe he does get 9m, and that would be great.