Edited Jun. 25, 2020 at 1:02 a.m.
Quoting: TML_Tika
This must be a joke if you think the Leafs would trade Marner and especially for these two players.
@ChiHawk what is your opinion? Do you think the Leafs would really agree to this deal?
Let me start by saying there is no question that Marner is 100% the better player, HOWEVER, I don't think either team agrees to the deal to be honest.
Contracts
Let's be honest, Marner is carrying one of the top 5 most expensive contracts in the league and Marner currently is definitely not a top 5 player in the league let alone top 10; he has the talent and I get that the Leafs are betting on his future value becoming one with that contact, but there is 5 years left and then walks him right in free agency. I don't think this was a good contract by the Leafs. Alternatively, Debrincat is on a 3 year bridge and an RFA so that is longer term control over the player and a better contract situation hands down. Based on contracts, cap hit, age, and team control....Debrincat's contract is much more attractive.
Production and Value
Debrincat had a down year there is no doubt and nobody will question that. Marner is a playmaker and a great one and his stats clearly demonstrate that. Cat is a goal scorer and a great one and his stats clearly demonstrate that. Cat will likely never put up 94 points like Marner did last season. Marner will likely never put up 41 goals like Cat did last season. A playmaker is more valuable to his team then a pure goal scorer/sniper end of story. For that reason, Marner is the better player hands down.
Linemates
Cat has been playing next to Strome and less then 50% having Kane on the other wing, mostly a cast of characters on his other wing. Marner plays next to Matthews who is a top 10 player in the league. That without question helps Marner having one of the best centers in the league next to him compared to Strome. Marner is great, but if he played next to Strome he would not be putting up quite the production he is next to Matthews and don't think anyone would argue that. They both play on the PP but this is where a sniper/shooter shines and has helped Cat's numbers IMO more then Marner's.
All Said...
Should the Leafs do this? No because Marner is a better a player and has great chemistry next to Matthews...you simply just don't break that up.
Should the Hawks do this? No because Marner's contract situation isn't great compared to Cat given his UFA status and a $11M cap hit walking to UFA status. The Hawks have too much tied into Toews, Kane and Seabs already to entertain a $11M cap hit on one player, they are better off spreading that to Cat and Strome together.
Is the value in the Marner for Murphy and Cat there? It's closer then some here think, although the Hawks clearly IMO need to add somewhat. Regardless, it doesn't make sense for either team.
Cat's value IMO is somewhere between William Nylander and Marner but very close to Nylander vs close to Marner. However, I wouldn't do a W Nylander 1 for 1 trade for Cat mainly because of contracts Nylander (UFA in 4 years) Cat (RFA in 3 years) plus Cat being 2 years younger (splitting hairs I know)...though those two are much closer nonetheless.
Would you do Nylander (Cat) plus Kappanen (Muprhy) for Marner? I think that answers the question if you'd do Cat plus Murphy for Marner.