Rejoint: avr. 2016
Messages: 3,301
Mentions "j'aime": 1,512
Ok...I'm a well known Marner super-fan. Have loved this kid since his London Knights days and was stoked when the leafs drafted him. I was battling friends who were pissed the leafs didn't move up a spot to get Strome because he was the big #1c we didn't have since Sundin.
But if someone is offering $13m you can't match that. I'm not sure how much more over $12m the leafs would match.
IMO anything that starts with an AAV of $12m and below the leafs don't hesitate to match.
As for the speculation that Marner would never sign an offer sheet....what is that theory based on? That he's a Toronto kid? If negotiations are within $1m, then no, IMO he's not going to sign anything. But if they are far apart, the offer sheet could get used to force the leafs' hands.
I've been told point blank by someone with ties to the family that other GM's are looking at offer sheeting him...not to necessarily land him on their team...but to land him in free agency in 4 years....meaning...if Marner isn't happy with the offer from Toronto, other GM's have already indicated to his agent that they'll put an $11m+ offer sheet on the table for 4 years...knowing that the leafs will match it...Marner gets to stay in Toronto...but now his contract ends as soon as he's eligible for free agency. So now the leafs are in a worst case scenario as far as AAV and term.
Offer sheets never have to actually get offered or signed, but the knowledge that they could dictate unfavourable terms is the leverage that an RFA like Marner has in these negotiations...
That's why I laugh at anyone who wants to compare his # to a Kucherov or Kane or anyone else. And why, when he signs in Toronto, it will probably be for a bit more than we all anticipate....and then know-it-alls on here will blame Dubas for caving in without understanding all the variables that come into play.