Jimmy Firecracker
They Fired Sheldon!
My main target in any Marner trade is a young centre who's either a current 2C or can become a 2C, plus other pieces like picks, prospects, and an underrated depth forward or defenseman. I've no appetite for dealing Mitch for a goalie and I doubt any team is going to part with a true #1/top pairing or a potential #1/top pairing defenseman for Marner. Trading Mitch for a centre helps our depth at our weakest forward position, addresses the upcoming hole at 2C, and gets this team younger and hopefully faster.
I don't think Minten or Holmberg have the ceiling to be a 2C in the NHL, and whoever we draft at 24 is also unlikely to have a high ceiling. UFA market also isn't brimming with talent at centre. Lindholm I suppose this season is the best option. Next year there's Draisaitl but I doubt he'll make it to UFA, and after him it's a bunch of other 30+ year olds. This hypothetical centre should/would have Marner's playmaking, and even if he never reaches Marner's gaudy offensive totals by nature of his position he'll make up for it with defensive play, faceoffs, and hopefully more willingness to drive the net and go to the dirty areas.
I don't think Minten or Holmberg have the ceiling to be a 2C in the NHL, and whoever we draft at 24 is also unlikely to have a high ceiling. UFA market also isn't brimming with talent at centre. Lindholm I suppose this season is the best option. Next year there's Draisaitl but I doubt he'll make it to UFA, and after him it's a bunch of other 30+ year olds. This hypothetical centre should/would have Marner's playmaking, and even if he never reaches Marner's gaudy offensive totals by nature of his position he'll make up for it with defensive play, faceoffs, and hopefully more willingness to drive the net and go to the dirty areas.