Fundamentally speaking if ARI can't afford keeping Garland then surely they can't afford taking Marner in.

Agreed. Makes no sense. Also ARI would have to add a ton! Marner value might be low right now but he is an exceptional player that can help pull a team into a playoff berth.

the answer for Arizona is 'significantly" and to the leafs is "nothing"

He'd be much more valuable if in addition to helping his team to reach the playoffs he actually managed to do something in the playoffs too.

In terms of level and likely difference in salary, I don't think ARI would have to add much. But as I said before, they can't afford to take Marner in regardless.

I'm indifferent about the trade itself but Marner is owed less actual $$$ so in a real world money sense, this trade actually makes sense.

I've hard time seeing ARI being able to afford those huge signing bonuses. $7M+ on one day seems a tough break for a team with relatively empty pockets.

Anyone that believes Garland is a small add away from getting Marner is smoking the good stuff. Sure Marner has something to prove in the playoffs, but he is a top 10 league scorer and has consistently produced in the regular season while playing in all situations.

I know Leaf nation has the pitchforks out, but come on…

He is a top 5 RWer in the NHL. Garland is good but he is a 2nd line player on a contender. Stop undervaluing MM. either way, he isn’t getting traded.

I'll say 6th best RW in the league.

Top10 scorer is funny notion considering he's playing with the best goal scorer in the league. He gets immense help from his C.

Not disputing Marner himself has value. But that contract is dreadful and should Leafs move him it won't be a favorable deal on paper, rather you'd have to add the fact they save money as impact on the exchange. But as you said, Dubas is dead set on banging his head on the proverbial brick wall of keeping those top 4 forwards and hurting immensely the depth of that roster.

Suppose he likes longer summer breaks.