Leafs

What makes you think Marner is waiving?

Many insiders said there was about a 5% chance that Marner was going to be back next season. Obviously that seems to have changed a bit, but I’m not 100% convinced he’ll be back. If he wants that 8 year and the Leafs don’t want to give it to him, it’s best for him to ask a trade.

Ignoring the ‘insiders’ part because they seem to be wrong far more often than not. Help me understand why it’s best for him to ask for a trade. Sure there’s one small benefit of an 8 year contract vs 7, but by not waiving he gets:
1. To play another season for the team he most wants to be on (TOR)
2. Gives himself the best odds of re-signing with the team he most wants to sign with (TOR)
3. If TOR does decide to move on, he gets to test the entire market to see what the absolute best option is for himself moving forward. A recommendation we already know his agent will be steering him towards, and which very likely could lead to a higher $ value than an 8 year contract from one suitor who isn’t competing with every other NHL team

Frankly, it seems those ‘insiders’ have it completely backwards from the outside looking in. I see a 5% chance he decides to waive. Ball seems to be in TOR’s court to either buck up and re-sign him or let him walk to UFA