Not surprised... just pretty mad at Dubas

i mean, even with the matthews/marner contracts he's still been the best leafs gm since quinn.

I'm not mad at Dubas at all. His only real choice was to let him sit and watch the craziness of Dreger and the rest of the media knuckleheads create chaos and distraction around the team, or compromise on an overpay in order to get him into camp, start the season and shut down the insanity from Ferris, Dreger and all the Paul's. He couldnt really trade him given that Marner's camp was hell bent a huge contract, so much so that they risked his value as a player.No other team was giving him that money and giving the leafs equal assets for the privilege to overpay Mitch. at the end of the day the core is locked in for a few years at this point.

I'd say this is mostly on Mitch given the tactics he used and how his camp carried themselves throughout the negotiation process. But it's not a biggie. Dubas has bet on a top heavy cap structure and Marner made a bet that he's a top 5 player in the league. Maybe they both make good on that? Maybe they don't? And if they dont, well, both of them, at some point, will be sent packing.


Cant wait to see what the rest of the rfas come in it at now. Here's my bet... the media narrative is going to change from Marner needs to get paid AM money to Dubas can't do his job and seriously overpaid Mitch. It's going to be hilarious...

It's not hard to be the best out of Ferguson, Burke, Nonis and Lamoriello's underwhelming tenure.

That narrative has already changed. Dubas is fine at his job... but could have done better with Marner and AM. Good trader, great drafter/player evaluator, adequate at best in contracts.

Meh. Maybe. But there's a whole front office that works on those contracts. The context and circumstances in T.O. is the difference.

Dubas made his bet. Mitch has made his. We'll see how it goes

I honestly can't see how Mitch made a bet here. It's Dubas that made the bet that Marner is a top-5 player by handing him that contract.

I think Marner actually thinks he's the best player on the team. And he needed a contract that came close to reflecting that. He essentially held the team hostage to get that contract and actively pursued offer sheets along the way that never planned out for him.

My take is that Marner made the bet that he's a top 5 player in the leauge and needed to be paid like it. And he was willing to use tactics that was pretty far from negotiating in good faith in order to get it. He'll have his work cut out for him to live up his contract now that the other rfas are starting to come on line.

Really, I don't mind what his contract is. But I am kinda of envious of what Point and Tampa just pulled off. And without the drama, theatrics and ego.

BriseBois did it again Almost MacKinnon's money (3 vs 4 years) That's one of the best deals in NHL right now... and it's comparable... or Pastrnak... It's just : Good

Sorry Toronto fans... Just close your eyes for a while... I feel ya... On the bright side, for this year you still have a super good team... no need to panic...
I've seen Marner in this preseason, he still provides elite performance... he will hit 80+ points guaranteed... yes overpaid by couple of million $, but not the end of the world...

Hopefully this year we meet in the 2nd round in the playoffs, and let the better team win

Gonna be a fun season, that's for sure! Let's go!