Well either we re-up JT at 5-6 and only have 5-6 left or we have to find a 2C, best case we draft it, but realistically we are paying 6-8 for another 2C
Alternatively, whilst we have over the next 3-4 years
Rielly - Tanev
X - X (McCabe - Liljegren rn)
OEL - X (Benoit/Haakanpana)
I wouldn’t mind letting the three bracketed walk and grab a better couple of defenders. I am incredibly worried about the tanev term and how it ages even starting this year. OEL is a gamble, hopefully it works. Marner’s money could help grab a nice pairing
Also, for me it’s also a bit of the player vs the contract, I don’t know if you can win with Marner (or any of them) being a leader on the team, whether at 9 or at 14. Marners play just isn’t up to the level of his skill and talent so idk if he can be a driver on a cup winning team. So admittedly it’s not all cap reasons, but also some questions of the player too