Leafs biggest mistake with Marner was not taking the 4 X 1st round pick offer-sheet compensation, but giving him a salary higher then that., Even today, if the Leafs tried to trade him, nobody would surrender 4 X 1sts for him in trade. IMO
Buy Low & Sell High its how I manage my investment portfolio, also a strategy that could apply to building a successful team in a Salary Cap Era.
Getting "Bang for your Salary Cap Buck", drives success as the better you manage your contracts the better the team you can ice to compete for the Cup. That's not Rocket Science but common sense.
The Marner stock has been a poor investment on return at the most crucial time the playoffs, ever since he signed his 2nd contract it became a dead investment, where ELC contract was his best years.
As a 20 year old making $895K ELC contract he put up 2-7-9 points in 7 games against Boston first round loss, now as 27 year old making $10.9 mil (9th highest NHL) in 7 games 1-2-3 points which is only 1/3rd the production he had 7 years earlier. The Boston team of 2017-18 with Bergeron, Krejci, Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask etc. >> > 2023-24 Bruins as of today.
You can see why the Leafs would like to get out and move on!!!