With the rumors of Marner testing the ufa market, that tells us he doesn't care about that 8th year, because he was gonna go short term all along. He'll probably sign for 2 years, around 13m, after which the cap will be 113.5m, at 14% would be $15,890,000 and he'll take his 8 year deal then. The 8 year contract will be perfectly timed for him, as he will be paid 14% as in his prime but possibly be in decline for the entirety of the contract. If the cap rises a lot in 2028/29 then a 3 year deal now would be even more lucrative for Marner, and worse for Toronto. Here we thought we had that 8th year advantage to get him signed to 13 x 8 to compete with 14 x 7 offers. It was a pipe dream. He railed us when he had little leverage over us as a rfa, but now that he has that ufa leverage he will use it to get paid max dollar til he retires. He's gonna be making around 16m for his ages 30-38 years. He's been thinking a few steps ahead of the rest of us. Doesn't hurt him signing after Matthews every time either.