When someone has a differing viewpoint than you it doesn't mean they're in denial.
For Malkin, the goal is absolutely 1000% to put asses in the seats - and you do that by selling the idea that there's a chance of winning, either now or in the future. Malkin is Lou's boss and suddenly going to 2 games a month and traveling with the team - he's obviously more concerned with the direction of the team than he's shown in the past.
Hagens is probably the more likely of the two - I have a feeling he's going to drop to 5th-ish and should we not win the lottery, moving up 3 or 4 spots in the draft shouldn't be too costly. Bednarik and a fourth maybe? Really not out of the realm of possibility at all. In all honesty, I'd rather not trade up to take him and I think that we'll get a great player around 9... but I would be 0% surprised if there's a plan to do so.
Marner is more of a reach given our ability to lure top talent in the past for sure. But compared to Panarin or Gaudreau, we have a couple of extra X factors here. There's Martin/Marner's relationship, prior negotiations with Lou, and the fact that a smaller market might be preferable to him after all the shit he's taken in Toronto despite clearly being one of the best players in the league. Of all of the big name FA that will be available in the next couple of seasons, I'd peg him as probably the most likely to sign here.
If I'm Malkin, I'm probably saying go get me these guys. Make the team fun to watch again and get the arena filled back up. And if I'm Lou, I'm probably already thinking that way to try and salvage my job. Either way, we'll see...