Auston isn't not getting 16.6 and Marner only 8.5 and Nylander isn't getting traded for a 1 and 2 draft pick when you are trying to win the cup.

Dude... did you even read the description?

This is a hypothetical scenario. If someone offered Matthews the 16.6m, the leafs could and would match. They also would have to trade away one of their top players who carries a heavy cap hit. Maybe this isn't the exact return, but like can you take a second to think before you comment?

In what world is Marner worth more than 8.5m as an RFA? Nylander got under 7m and had to sit out a third of the season. Marner doesn't want to do the same thing. He'll likely get closer to 7m.

Sabres will more than likely have that draft pick from St Louis

You realize Marner is the leading scorer on the team right? In no way will there be that large of a discrepancy between the Matthews and Marner cap hits.

Leafs wouldn't match....and depending on the team, maybe Matthews doesn't even sign the offer sheet. Just would like to see some names to these teams that would overpay for for RFAs and see how they fit into their cap now and in the future.

Yeah, though if we're honest it's painful to have a 16.6 million player on the roster. As for Marner, he doesn't outscore Draisaitl by a projected 30 points and take less. 8.5 sounds like a bargain to me. If I was the GM of say, Buffalo, Colorado, or Carolina, I'd have my at least 9-10 million offer sheet ready, because that's a pretty nice price for a 90-100 point guy, and B, it would shoot me enough into contention to make my four first round picks low.

16.6...... at which point you don't match if Matthews says yes and turn around and sign Duchene, Panarin, Karlsson, or Stone. One of those and four firsts for Matthews is a nice package IMO. The big teams who would use offer sheets on the Leafs are Carolina, Buffalo, and Colorado. They're all bubble teams who would immediately be pushed into contention with one of Matthews or Marner. I can't see Matthews signing an offer sheet. He'll be extended by then anyways. Now Marner is a different issue. Dubas likely wants him signed for 8.5-9.5 million, and the aforementioned teams can afford to offer Marner 10-11.5.

Someone just posted a Arizona team with Matthew and even Arizona has trouble with cap now and in the future. I think that is big concern for any team...cap space. Take Colorado they have Rantanen to sign and you could argue he has a better year than Matthews or Marner. I can see Matthews being in no hurry to sign, he should explore his options.
But you are correct, the Leafs have a tipping point. But so does Matthews. For his long term wealth...he might be better to stay with the Leafs at a reduced pay...and promote his brand in a major city on a very good team, and then explore further free agency in five years...maybe to New York. Apparently Sid Crosby's net work is 150m....all this on his paltry 8.7m salary. Staying with a good team...and multiple Cup winner has its benefits as a legacy and for other commercial values.

And Marner will always be in the shadow of Matthews. If he signed with a team that had no face, then he could be the face of the team as well in a decent sized city team like Florida, New Jersey, or New York.

who wants to play in New jersey really.

i meant nobobdy is going to offer 16.6 that destroys your cap and i would let him walk and take the pics they will be top 5 picks for sure. He be the only one on the team and if one of his shoulders goes then it will be first overall. Thank you very much

With Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier? Who wouldn't? Especially if Blackwood becomes what he looks like. Florida with Barkov and Huberdeau is nice, and NYI with Barzal and Lee/Bailey/Panarin is awesome too. Florida could also be Panarin and Barkov.

Marner has seen what the value of being a Leaf even on or average / poor teams....Clarke, Salming, Gilmour, Sittler means to lifetime financial benefits. And Leaf Cup winners from the 60s still make out well. I actually think a Leaf draftee and hometown boy could reap lifetime commercial benefits. So getting a more elsewhere may not be so lifetime lucrative. (how can you even say Florida or New Jersey). But it may be more than just money that Marner especially would find attractive to stay with the Leafs. Besides he can sleep in his parents basement rent free.

i only said Jeresy i don't see anyone rushing to play with mcdavid in Edmonton.

That’s what we were saying about the Lightning a few years back. Who would want to play for them. And now? Florida has a bright future. Jersey doesn’t, I’ll give you that, but still, Florida could end up being the battle of the two state titans in the future. An in-state rivalry is very healthy for the fan base. Especially if Florida gets Panarin. It’s a great place to live too. I can’t get in Marner’s head, and nobody can. I don’t see him signing an offer sheet personally, but it’s gotta be tempting coming from certain teams.