Quoting: palhal
If Leafs had done had not caved to Nylander, (and Matthews) maybe we wouldn't be having this silly 11, 12m talk with Marner. I'll never know why the Leaf thought Nylander was 6.769 AAV when the precedent had been said by the superior Pasternak at 6.67m or even Larkin at 6.1 was a good comparable. Heck 25 goals 25 assist Reinhart signed for two years at 3.625m
Agree with you there might have a "sitting" Marner. Gee at the time of the Nylander signing the Leafs were on a 120 point season pace. The Leafs were had huge leverage against Nylander last fall.
In hindsight, which is always 20/20, I think it woulda been the best move to sit Nylander for the season, and come back and negotiate this offseason.
I mean, there was a real argument that Nylander and Marner were neck and neck up til this season. Bad timing for Nylander that his contract was up first, and I respect why his camp played hardball given the cap picture.. because he has no trade protection as an rfa, and that they likely knew that Marner's numbers would go up because him playing with JT was part of the pitch to land Tavares .. meaning Nylander could very likely get trade, and he still might..
I don't think Dubas "caved"so much on the contract, as he did with the process.. if Nylander sat this year it'd be awfully hard for his camp to compare himself to Marner and that leverage wouda evaporated. And you're right, the leafs weren't hurting without him..
As for AM, I really don't know what to think of his contract. The ceiling for that guy is really hard to figure.. he could be one of the most dominant players in the leauge if he puts it all together. .
I don't think Marner is in the same hemisphere as AM.. and I love the dude! But that's just my opinion