Quoting: JaredOfLondon
Bro, if you cant come up with a trade foe marner that gets you more than either of those guys alone, you're either so deep into your own prospect bias there is no retun or your imagination is just incredibly stagnant
https://theathletic.com/3415068/2022/07/25/nhl-prospects-rankings/
Who are we going to pull as an upgrade on Zegras OR McTavish? Lets use McTavish, and the Athletics list of top prospects.
Should I call up Seattle asking about Shane Wright or Matty Beniers? The likelihood that they can be good before Marners deal is up is slim to none.
Should I call up Arizona about Cooley? They're behind us on the rebuild timeline path, and will have no issue filling their stadium the next three years due to only having 5k seats, not to mention their money issues.
Maybe Colombus about Kent Johnson, because they need a 4th expensive winger after Gaudreau, Laine, and Voracek.
Winnipeg about Perfetti? This one has a shred of possibility if the Ducks retain 50% and they resign him when Wheeler retires.
Buffalo about Savoi? They are in the same place in their rebuild as we are, they won't be able to use Marner for a couple more years either.
Montreal about Slafkovsky? Also has a shred of possibility as they seem to be wanting to rebuild on the fly and will have the cap space after this season.
So we have two teams that are likely interested in the deal, and have someone of enough value for Anaheim to have entertained this idea in the first place. Not exactly the kind of bidding war we would hope for to mortgage our future.