I rarely watch interviews and I haven't heard a single word Marner's said this season. I saw him a couple of weeks ago on the news when the volume wasn't on though, and I remember thinking that he looks much less uncomfortable that he has in the past so that lines up with your impressions. Or maybe, Marner's interviews are always better with no sound?
Definitely paid too much. I like what Dubas did here probably more than most people do but that contract is #1 on the list of his mistakes and what a doozy it was.