You should understand that we’re not in a situation to extract full value in a Marner trade. There are way too many factors involved that can reduce the return.
NMC
1 Year Left
Huge cap hit
Everyone knows we want to move him
This. Finding a team that wants him that he would sign an extension with is the only way we get anything close to fair value for him.
I do think a Seattle or Utah might fit the bill here. They are new markets that lack star power and he would be great on and (potentially) off the ice for franchises trying to sell the game to new audiences.
The value we should HOPE to get is:
1. A couple of useful roster pieces. Say a top 4 dman and a young, inexpensive forward (or goalie) who can contribute.
2. Prospect of pick capital. A couple of lottery tickets. Maybe one of them with real value. (High pick or top prospect).
3. Cap space that we can allocate immediately to fill gaps...say another top 4
Dman, a 2LC, or a goalie.
4. A change in culture from not having Marner here, from not having a core four, from not having the weight of an upcoming contract negotiation with MM, and showing the rest of the roster we mean business.
This is why Marner for Wright, Oleksiak and a pick/prospect world me. We could add Roy or Tanev with the space on this deal. Who doesn't think that Oleksiak, Tanev, Wright and a prospect is fair value? Or at least good value and something we should consider?
I also think our off-season should see us extend JT and $8m or $9m over three years and he should give the C to Matthews.
Off season of new coach, new captain, three important pieces for Marner, and cap space next year with JT savings and another cap increase...sounds good to me.