Everything hinges on what they do with Sullivan IMO.
If they keep him, I'm fully on board with selling everything they can get a good return on, sucking, and hoping to land McKenna/Dupont.
If they fire Sullivan, though, I think it's a sign that they are going to try to compete. If they are going to try to compete, they are going to sign some talent. With some talent and a new coach, McKenna/Dupont are probably long shots anyway. So if they are going to do it, I'd rather them shoot for the moon and land Marner than half-ass it and sign some middle 6 wingers to surround the aging core.
...but as you said, not sure why Marner would be willing to come here. I guess maybe if they make multiple big time adds they could sell him on it? Kinda like Minnesota did with Suter and Parise. That worked out well didn't it?
Nobody can look into the future. We might already be long shots for McKenna and DuPont. Or maybe we get both. This team has a magical history of passing the torch, so I believe it really clouds people's judgement when it comes to the post-Crosby/Malkin era.
A player like Marner is the perfect bridge between 87/71 and the next wave. Does adding Marner mean we are out on the first pick in 2026/2027? Perhaps. One thing is certain, we should definitely try to keep acquiring other teams' picks. The draft is not like RFA offer sheets: you don't need your own pick to get the player you want.
I would much rather have Mitch Marner helping the next wave of Penguins into the future, while also helping the current superstars end their careers in style, instead of getting the next Bedard and seeing him wallow in the mire for years and years.
The key is and has always been, DRAFT WELL. Everybody here wants the freebie. The no-brainer. How about our scouts actually do their jobs? That is how you become successful. San Jose and Chicago will never win until they figure out how to actually build a team around the young talent. Buffalo is still figuring that out.
So for me, whether Mike Sullivan is here or not, Mitch Marner makes too much sense for this team at this time. And make no mistake, Mike Sullivan will be here because nobody can fire him. But hey, at least Mitch Marner is one of the best penalty-killing forwards in the NHL. Even Mike Sullivan cannot hate this player, so it's literally a win-win situation. An absolute no-brainer. If we don't get him, then I don't know where to go next.
But until we hear news that Marner re-signed with Toronto, I will continue to hope that Dubas can pull this rabbit out of his hat.
