Quoting: PleaseBanMeForMyOwnGood
I think the Leafs would be very interested in that. Laf may not be as good as Marner but he's going to be really good and the salary savings for the next 3 years make it very intriguing. I don't think it really sets TO back much since they would have so much extra money they could use to sign some other helpful players.
see my other post about Laf.
you have to consider his learning curve, much like Marner, he won't be producing above a point per game in his first season.... so, year 1 & 2 are developmental, year 3 is the big stride, year 4 you pay more than you currently are for Marner IF it works out.
if it doesn't, then you're weaker up front.
Laf is a projection, and with any projections, there's a risk associated with achieving them.... albeit a smaller risk than later picks, it's a risk nonetheless.
in the last 10 years, how many 1st OA produce at the pace Marner is currently doing?..... 2... McDavid and Matthews.
how many busts in the last 10 years?...1 .. Yakupov
there are some very good players, but Marner is up there
and I don't even like Marner.