Since it's pretty much impossible for the Leafs to move on from one of the core four, it's best we just wait for the worst one (on the worst contract) to move on.
Many of this team's downfalls stem from the large-cap commitment to four forwards. Trading Marner now makes no sense, considering a) Tavares isn't close to elite anymore and b) his contract expires after one more season. Many fans, understandably, undervalue the importance of having elite talent on the team. What many people see as a current solution in trading Marner may be a massive mistake down the road and create a massive need for another elite player. I will always believe the only justification for trading Marner would be for a true, two-way, all-situations #1 D-man. And by the proposals of this site (and his now UFA status), that return seems impossible.
This is what our team *could* look like in 2 years if the cap rises to 92 million.
If he's signing as a UFA, 7 would be the max. He will be 29, so a 5-year deal especially at 6.5M would be more than reasonable for a top 4 DFD. Not saying he can"t get 6 or 7 years just saying a 32.5M deal is in the realm of possibility.