Yeah the whole JT thing is way over blown. People want to make JT out like JT was a 100 point player who scored 40 goals a year. He wasn't.
He's a good player. But this act like he was under paid by Toronto is kind of laughable. Maybe he turned down more money from a team like Ottawa or Arizona. But they aren't over paying because he's skilled, they are over paying because no one wants to be in that dumpster fire.

I hate to break it to you but money is the exact reason they play. They don't play so the owner of the Leafs can get rich off them while they take discounts. I don't know why it's so hard for fans to understand that.
Nor do players care about the salary structure when it's their contract up.
As far as Marner is concerned, you can call him an elite passer or whatever else you want. He's a 20 goal scorer and people want to give him close to Matthews money who in his first 2 years was a 40 goal pace and this year he's gonna crack 50 unless he gets hurt, but will still have had a 50+ goal pace. They are not of the same value, even remotely. Matthews isn't OV. He doesn't just stand in some stupid circle and wait for other players to do all the work and pass it to him. He actually puts the puck on his stick and makes it happen. You got people wanting to pay Marner 9+ million for watching JT and Matthews do all that work. What an epic waste. He's not even close to being worth 9 million a year. I don't care how many assists he racks up. 7.5 maybe. But they will be forced into paying him because fans are stupid.

In what world would Marner ever sign for $700,00 more then Nylander? No way he signs that deal.

The same world where he scored 8 more points than Nylander prior to this year.

Excellent point. He plays with one of the best centres in the league and also has a LW producing at a point per game pace however.

I agree with Goulet. Most winger don't get over 9m, especially those just leaving their ELCs. I'm not a real believers in "hometown discount" but I think Marner could a guy that would like to stay a Leaf....forever. He has seen other Leafs achieve "idol" status, despite really never winning anything. Salming, Sittler, Clarke, Gilmour, Sundin. Hometown Marner would have god like status, as a long term Leaf especially if the Leafs won a Cup. About 8.5m X 8m might do next summer.

Perhaps the single worst analysis of Marner I’ve read. You’re probably the same type of leaf fan that doesn’t want to pay him but blasts others fans who want to trade for him.

The economics of the league determine player worth. Not your impression of how invaluable assists are.

San Jose reportedly offered him 13M but he wanted to play in Toronto. Tavares has been a top 10 centre in the league for almost a decade and his line mates have all been much better with him, than without him. Some got large paydays because of their production with him only to find themselves back in the minors without him.

Ever notice that when a player is asked about their contract status they refer the problem to their agent? They play hockey to win, the money is a byproduct of their success. The agents are the ones trying to squeeze every dollar. The players of course want to get paid but the difference between $40M and $45M is negligible if you're winning versus losing.

Goals are worth more. Marner is uniquely pass first and less dangerous because of it. Of the salary comps I used, all score more goals and could be argued to be worth more. That being said, every game I watch, Marner is far more noticeable and impactful on the ice than Matthews. Matthews can be invisible for the bulk of the game but change its outcome with one shot.

no one knows what SJS offered him. reportedly in the age of fake news means nothing.

1. players use the agent line to not end up in the headlines. Are you kidding me. If they say something it's all over the front pages, it's an issue and it doesn't go away. They aren't stupid. That doesn't mean they aren't out there playing for money. If they weren't they would never strike.

2. End of a game I think every leafs fan out there would rather want the puck on Matthews stick than Marners. Period.
9-10 million a year they could sign a 30 goal dynamic player like Panarin for that much. It's insane people think a guy who nets 20 goals a year and racks up assist points, a lot of them on the power play, is worth that much.

players also want to make money! no better market to win??? wpg will win the cup before toronto does. nashville can win before toronto. tell me would a player choose the state of florida to play hockey or toronto??? not everyone wants to play in thier home town. the amount of pressure is insane. some guys love, most hate it.

RT. they say he's a top 5 player in the league, but when it comes to contract talks, he's not better then gaudreau. i rmr just 2 weeks ago ppl were like oh he's the next patrick kane. stfu
Thatguy just proved it with his post above

9-10 million could land you Panarin. Please don't tell me that's his value. It's not. Not even close. One is a 30 goal scorer who is also a "playmaker" the other is not.

You are spewing opinion as if it’s fact and look like a clown in the process.

opinion what part of that is opinion?

You doubt they could sign Panarin for 10 million?
You somehow thing having panarin and trading out the rights to marner for a good ELC defense man or whatever else isn't more value? Please tell me what part of that is opinion?

There are some facts there. Panarin has cracked 30 goals multiple times, is a dynamic player. The guy who you want the puck on his stick in the clutch situation. No one is counting on Marner to net those goals.

The only clown in the process is you for thinking a 20 goal scorer who racks up a ton of assist points a lot of them on the power play is worth 9-10 million a year.

Please don't tell me that's his value. It's not. Not even close.

opinion what part of that is opinion?

You doubt they could sign Panarin for 10 million?
You somehow thing having panarin and trading out the rights to marner for a good ELC defense man or whatever else isn't more value? Please tell me what part of that is opinion?.

hahah...ok...continue with your lazy analysis and don't bother actually watching games.



This is you, expressing an opinion...and trying to pass it off as fact. Guess what...you may think $1.39/L for gas is poor value, but (if you're even old enough to own a vehicle) I'm sure you go fill up that tank anyway.



This...is all an opinion. Are you simple? Please show me where Panarin says he will sign with the Leafs for $10m. Please show the substantiated proof that trading Marner for an ELC defender makes the Leafs better. You can't. Why? Because they are opinions...and predictions derrived from your opinions. They are very far from being factual.

Funny, you can look all across cap friendly and see Panarin valued in the 9-10 million range.
Second, signing Panarin and getting a good young player on a ELC would make them a much better team. That's not opinion. That's the reality of adding more talent than you lose.

If there is one person on here acting asinine about their opinion being fact it's you. Marners numbers last year were the same as Nylanders. The only reason they increased is because JT came onto the line and scored all the goals. Yet you want to cough up 10 million for him. You should be in the nut house. You probably want to give Kap 8 million too!

You seem to enjoy going on tangents and putting words in other people's mouths to help your point look good. Not once have I doubted was Panarin will be asking for. Not once have I said he's not a great player.

Ever look at Marner's pace last year when he was taken off the top line? 100+pts. Look at his pace now? 100+pts. Am I saying he'll get signed for $10+m? No. All I'm saying is he's well within his rights to start negotiations there and, IMO, if he signs for around $9.5m I'd consider it a deal.

If Buffalo calls you today and offers Dahlin for Marner straight up...are the Leafs a better team because of it? Maybe. Maybe not.

I'm sure you'll still find a way to twist my words to accommodate your agenda tho