Matthews says I got you fam to Dubas

This roster was just about the smarter move to sign the stars as a package. People crap on Edmonton a lot, but they were smart both times they locked up their core on deals that were contingent on their other stars signing at the same time.

Make up whatever trades you want for Gardiner and Zaitsev. Trading for other D is possible but that's not the point of this roster.

If Petrovic is not available as a UFA, you can bring in one of a long list of vets for 1-2 million. Like Luke Schenn
The D might be shaky, but at least the ice time is going to players with potential. After Marleau and Horton are gone, there will be a lot more flexibility to make improvements. If Sparks can steal the crease from Andersen, that will open up another set of possibilities.

Yaaaa marner at under 9 is wishful thinking. Under 7? Laughable

If there's a choice between Nylander at $6.75 and Marner at $7. Dubas would know he should keep Nylander. Anything beyond $500k more for Marner than Nylander, and Dubas knows he needs to refuse

The last time the Leafs paid someone like Crosby, it was Kessel at $8x8. He was a tier below, so it was a mistake.
There's just a cliff between the elite, and very good players in the league. Elite players can double the output of a very good player, so it's reasonable to pay them double the money.
Edmonton sees that now, not with McDavid, but by paying anybody -- Draisatl in this case -- in that no man's land range of $7 to $10 million.
Anything above about $7 and you need to be among the best in the league at your role, which means the best on your team, but there's 2 guys on the Leafs that will always be better than Marner.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I will be shocked if Marner gets 8 from Dubas. I'll even be surprised if he gets more than 7 tbh.

Why do Leafs fans always want to trade Zaitsev? He had a great first year, was injured last year and has played great this year. I don't get it? TiBo23 shakes his head....

Salary cap