If that were true, most players would sign a deal as soon as they are eligible (the year before they become a UFA). It does happen that a player sings early, but the opposite is significantly more common.
Most players live in fear of not getting the next contract. They would sign immediately if they could. Most are a dime a dozen replacement level.
Marner isn’t most. He is a star.
Most star players do. Though. Many will be upset they can’t get a deal done.
Going into the last year isn’t what most players want to do.
IF Marner isn’t staying. The most likely and logical thing to do is to tell Toronto where he may want to go. They work out a deal and Marner goes there.
Your suggestion is Marner
1.) knows he is leaving Toronto, so he will have to sign somewhere else anyway
2.) purposely decides to put himself in a situation where he cannot get 8 years
3.) risks getting injured for no money
4.) puts up with media scrutiny and becomes public enemy number 1 in his hometown forever.
For what? Delaying the inevitable for 12 months? What if his wife gets pregnant. Now you are moving with a young kid?
It’s just a silly idea really.
If the team makes it clear you aren’t in the plans/there is no deal to be made. Why would you possibly refuse to move and come back?
The PP sucked. What if Marner is off the pp this year.
It’s just a bizzare plan.