The conversation between Treliving and Mariner goes something like this.
GMBT: Mitchell got a trade I really want to do says above.
MM: Brad Go F*** yourself.

Cute. The idea that no one wants to play in Columbus is a total myth. Every player is unique and does their own math on where to play. It's pretty rare for a player with a NMC to tell a team that wants to move them to just GFT.

I also understand this is a low probabilty. The premise of most ACGMs generally isn't "this is the most realistic prediction of the future." Rather, it's generally more aligned with "this is a hypothetical that is fun to consider or I would love to see happen."

No one wants to play in Ohio

Yep. And apparently no Leaf fans are capable of forming an original thought.

Just really hard to imagine Marner waives his NMC for any team, but for a last place team (Metro) - it seems preposterous.

The Leafs are committed to Marner, whether they like it or not. His NMC gets exercised immediately, not because of destination but purely because he's exactly where he wants to be, making the most amount of money he'd make on a contending team in his hometown.

Honestly the only options Toronto has are 1) sign him to an 8x$12.5 or more, or 2) watch him walk after next year. If they wanted to shake things up, they had to trade Marner, location-independent, before the NMC kicked in. If they wanted to shake up the core, they had to do it before Nylander signed the extension. Toronto is stuck, they'd better hope it works.

For Columbus: I don't think this is the year to go get a big name. The idea is right, but I explored the idea earlier. There's not really any good options right now that fit the timeline, either because they're not impact enough or frankly not available.

The rest is fine, the ideas are good, and the values look okay. I just think the team, given the market, is better served just making the picks, waiting, and letting the kids develop.

I don't think Marner waives for Columbus just because they're still stuck in the bottom.

Honestly, I wouldn't be interested in paying the price for Marner. He's very good at what he does but I don't think he's really a need per se. We arguably need more skilled glue guys and/or veteran mentors to help get our existing talent up to speed.

The only possible avenue I could conceivably see Marner being interested is if Columbus brings in the Hunters for both GM and coach. And even then, congrats, you've brought in a 12 million dollar winger.

Zero chance in hell, That Mitch Marner leaves his hometown of Toronto for the likes of Columbus. Plus Laine is a massive wreck right now. Hence why he's still on the NHLPAP for the rest of the season.