Is there an $11m player in the league, now asking $13+m, who needs to play with elite forwards to be effective? Matthews and Nylander have proven they do not. Tavares proved it earlier in his career. Marner has played with Matthews or Tavares the last 7 years. If one is hurt, Marner plays with the other and Nylander is left with the crumbs.
Play him with Holmberg and McMann and show us you are a $13+m player.
Knies Matthews Domi
Patches Tavares Nylander
McMann Holmberg Marner
Lorentz Kampf Reaves
For a team that gets virtually zero production from it's 3rd line, does it not make sense to use Marner to fix it? Yet when he returns it will be back with Matthews or Tavares. Overload the top two lines in the playoffs, watch them get neutered and then bitch because your 3rd line does not produce. Rinse and repeat.