Duct taping around this core is not the answer. Surly 8 years is enough to realize that. If it were me I would take it down to the foundation and start over. It is a shame the idiots have given the losers everything including NMCs. As Kyper said, these guys have no character.
What's so absolutely frustrating is that the only real thing they can do is move on from Marner.
And he's not waiving his nmc. So that means losing him for no return whatsoever after next season. Even I am having problems rationalizing losing a 100 point player for nothing....
And that's what's so absolutely f***ing infuriating about this.
Intelligent people like me were saying the the proof is in the pudding. There is something "off" with this core when looking at the sum of their parts. I'm certain all 3 of the core would succeed in the playoffs with a change of scenery. It's just something about the group of them
together that's off.
So Marner should have been traded after the humiliating loss to Montreal. And if not that, then Tampa. And if not that then Florida. But now his nmc has kicked in. It's a disaster.
And he would have returned a kings ransom. I don't care what anybody says. Half the teams in the league are poor and care more about REAL money (not aav) and regular season. They'd kill to even make the playoffs. So his poor playoff performances wouldn't matter to them. He makes like 7 mil a year in real money his final 3 seasons. Gm's of half the league would literally murder people to get their hands on Marner.
And now we'll either sign him to another unprecedented dramatic overpayment, or lose him for nothing. This franchise is cursed.