Joined: Jan. 2019
Posts: 794
Likes: 110
Personally I would pick Stone on the high end due to his 2-way ability as mentioned. He's lead the league in takeaways the last couple of seasons. That would only benefit the leafs more on their defensive game. That to go along with his ability to score and age, puts Stone at the top of my list.
After him, I would even chance Skinner. He is a pure goal scorer who can play either wing. As mentioned before, our LW is in need of a boost as it's really only Johansson with a scorers touch.
In saying all of this, if the Leafs have some idea that Marner will hold out and become stubborn u less receiving a big pay out and absolutely will not budge, I would look into the South Eastern teams like Florida, etc. Without tax, they could potentially sign Marner to a friendly deal for them and he would still make more money. They are supposedly going after Panarin, so perhaps they could reach a deal and trade with the leafs. As to what that would consist of, well that I am not sure. Just an idea to bounce around.