Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather the Ducks grab Brady than Marner. It's just I've seen people here and there imply that you do whatever it takes to get a guy like that when available and I just don't agree that there's no limit to what you offer (especially in Marner's case). In a bubble, 3rd overall this year, Zegras, and Zellweger might not be enough for Ottawa (for 7th overall too) as it is. I just find that package to be too big a gamble on a guy that, yeah he would add some size and intensity to the top 6.
But even if we're being modest about what the Zs can be, let's say Zegras is an annual 70-75 point guy, Zellweger is a 40-45 point guy. The third overall downgrade to 7th overall could be the difference between a number 2 defenseman or top line winger (assuming everything goes well with Demidov or Lindstrom's development) and a second line, second pair guy. For me, I don't think the added intangibles (lets call them the benefits you get from a modern power-forward type) offsets what we (potentially) lose. Sure, power-forwards are so rare these days, you can't bank on developing your own in-house. But by the same token, I don't really feel like a Tkachuk is exactly what a team needs to win in today's NHL. Would he be great to have? Of course. Is he so essential that we should burn the farm and hope our scouts find good replacements? Not in my book, but it's just the way I see it.