Quoting: blowing_the_zone
That's kinda the point of the previous one. Ferris milks two of his big fish at the same time. How happy would he be? Regardless, and as much as we know that Ferris is motivated by all the quid he can get, I kinda bet that Hall is more motivated to be on a competitive team rather than getting every nickle he can. He's been in tough his whole career. Kinda like the JT deal, coulda got 13M in SJ apparently, but took a "discount" to come to the leafs
I'd wager the Hall situation is way easier to handle for Ferris than Marner.
1) Hall is FA, he can just go to the highest bidder, Ferris can't really play any stupid games in that scenario and doesn't need too.
2) Marner is RFA, meaning the highest bidder needs to also be willing to give up 4 1st round picks, he also has to maneuver an evolving market that he has completely over estimated and he's vilified his client by making outrageous demands and playing all sorts of games to get his way.
In my opinion, Ferris is in big trouble with Marner, if I was Marner, I'd be feeling concerned that the offers on the table will only get worse. I feel this way for several reasons.
1) Everyone is waiting for him and Dubas is being patient knowing its highly unlikely no one will blink. Soon someone else is going to sign and solidify the market value for these RFAs.
2) If Point or Rantanan sign for long term and less than 10 million, in what reasonable universe does he think he is going to get more than them.
3) If those guys go long term, whats stopping Dubas from shaving money off his offers since the market has changed in his favour?
4) Marner really does want to be in TO and if he is unreasonable, come the start of the season, he will either be traded or sit for an entire year.
With those issues in mind, I think Ferris is in a tight spot with Marner (Which is why he's leaking info about playing in Europe, its what he did with the other guys he had AA and Anderson) and he's really hoping he can pressure Dubas into making a mistake. Dubas has been very firm and has made all the moves he needs to, to create space. Now its just a waiting game and Dubas has a great hand while Ferris is bluffing and everyone knows it.