Quoting: MrDinkiee
I didn't see your posts, but there are a lot of players who have taken a 'hometown discount' under the age of 30. McAvoy, Svechnikov, Cale Makar, Sebastian Aho, Pelech and Pulock, Brad Marchand when he was 28, the list goes on
Since we're talking about Marner, lets look at the forwards you listed:
Svechnikov: Prior to signing his extension, Svech played in 205 games and recorded 140 points (0.68 PPG). Assuming he had 3 full seasons and played in every game, at that pace he would have 167 points in 246 games. Prior to Marner signing his extension, he played in 241 games and recorded 224 points (0.93 PPG). If Marner played in 3 full season (He only missed 5 games on his ELC), he wouldve had 228 points in 246 games. Marner is and was the better player at the time of signing his extension.
Aho: Prior to signing his extension, Aho played in 242 games and recorded 197 points (0.81 PPG). Assuming Aho played in 3 full seasons (He only missed 4 games on his ELC) at that pace, Aho wouldve had 199 points in 246 games. Again, compared to Marner's actual numbers (224 points in 241 games), and Marner's projected numbers through 3 full seasons, Marner was the better player at the time of signing.
Marchand: Comparing Marner coming off of an ELC to Marchand in his prime seems a little unfair, so I'll compare them since signing their most recent extensions. Since signing his extension, Marchy has played in 306 games (and counting), recording 388 points (1.27 PPG). Since signing his extension, Marner has played in 144 games, recording 162 points (1.13 PPG). Its no secret Marchand is on a steal of a contract, but there arent a ton of those in the NHL. Typically, star players get paid. Rantanen, Panarin, Eichel, Stone, Barkov, even Ovi (Who got 9.5 mil for 5 years at 36 years old). Stone loves Vegas but still cashed in. Discount contracts arent as common as you think, but the only good players that get flack for being paid "too much" are the ones in Toronto. Colorado fans dont whine that theyre paying Rantanen 9.25 mil. Rangers fans dont whine about paying Panarin 11.6. People are thankful to have good players, but Toronto fans always find a way to complain because the grass is always greener.