3-year deal for low money is the worst case scenario for Marner. If Toronto wants to lowball him, it's going to be for 4 years.

That isnt lowballing him. Worst case would be signing him to four years. Do you know anything about about the difference between a ufa and an rfa?

Actually a 4 year deal is worst case scenario. Walks him right to UFA. Will be 2-3 bridge or 6-8 if they can get him long term

This is why I chose 3 years. I'm still a firm believer that Marner has no intention of leaving Toronto. He just wants to ride out the next couple of years until the cap gets to a point where he can make what he thinks he is worth. If I'm Dubas, I try and sign him to a 3 year deal that is signing bonus driven, gauge his camps interest in signing an extension in summer of year 2 and make your decision of whether to resign or move on based on Marner's ask. If he tears it up for the next couple of years, pay the man and move another piece to make room. To me that is how Dubas can make this a win-win.

Agreed. I think they will settle on a bridge as well, his ask is too much long term. Bridge him and if they can win a cup or two then open up the bank vault

I think you missed the part when I said it was the worst case for Marner, not the Leafs. It's in Marner's best interest to become a UFA as soon as possible so he can drive up his value on the open market. He would probably consider accepting less money to become a UFA sooner, thus getting his big payday earlier. If he takes a 3-year deal, he has to go through this whole dog and pony show again in 2022, only to have to sign a long-term deal, likely at a reduced value than what he could get on the open market, thus significantly reducing his lifetime earnings.

not sure thats true, the sales pitch on the low cap for this year and next year is that after the tv deals gets done the cap will skyrocket afterwards. 3 yrs with a 90+m cap even for an RFA is a big payday

Here you go, well deserved

The cap will be even higher 4 years from now than 3 years now. Marner can get significantly more money as a UFA than as a RFA.

No team will give him 4 years

*sniff* I'd like to thank my mother and father for all the sacrifices they made for me to get here, my agent and of course God.