Because RFA players have certain rights.

The most important (in this case) being qualifying offer rights.

If Calgary signs him for 1 year, $15 million, it means that they have to at least qualify him next year with an equivalent offer, or lose his rights.

So Marner could simply keep stringing Calgary along on 1-year, $15 million deals for the next four years, until he becomes an unrestricted free agent, for which they would receive no compensation. And hell yes, that's what his agent would tell him to do.

So if you are Calgary, are you willing to give up 4 1st round picks for 4 years of Mitch Marner, with a cap hit of $15 million each year, after which he walks?

He's not going to sign an 8-year deal next year at $11 per year. He's made that abundantly clear.
- Atomic Wedgie

Anything against this...

Montreal signs him to 1 yr. 15 million with a handshake deal to extend him at 8 years 13M or re-signs him for 8 years 13 million in the off-season.

Okay so it's more of a cap space issue for the following three years. If they have the space, it's still 4 years of Marner for four first round picks, or 1 year of him and they get back their picks, or 9 years of him if he signs an 8 year deal. Either way, it's never just 1 year for 4 first round picks and everyone moves on, right?
- narfmoo12

Correct, in that he'd still be a restricted free agent for the next 3 years.

But it basically sets you up to have to negotiate with him every summer, and every summer you have to first qualify him with a 1-year, $15 million dollar contract. He can either accept that (which I'm guessing he would), or try for even more.

At the end of the day, does any team really want to pay $15 million per year for a winger who weighs less than 180 lbs.?

Anything against this...

Montreal signs him to 1 yr. 15 million with a handshake deal to extend him at 8 years 13M or re-signs him for 8 years 13 million in the off-season.
- Aetherial

Nothing that I'm aware of but if Montreal gets caught talking to Marner about that future deal before getting him under contract, they're in trouble.

True. He's recycling rumors.
- kaptaan

Anything against this...

Montreal signs him to 1 yr. 15 million with a handshake deal to extend him at 8 years 13M or re-signs him for 8 years 13 million in the off-season.
- Aetherial

I'm sure his agent would tell him he's better off continuing to sign 1 year, $15 million deals for the next 3 years, and then hitting UFA status after the next US TV contract kicks in.

Because everyone believes the new US contract will be a huge push to the cap.

Gotta get those clicks eh Ek? 😂
- gergeswillems

Reads all of Ek’s stuff but then talks trash every time.. get a life you loser!

Reads all of Ek’s stuff but then talks trash every time.. get a life you loser!
- JKSoule

Shutup Xizord. Hide behind another alt. Coward. Show up next time.

Eklund: Rumors of a 1 year Marner Offer Sheet are Back
- Eklund

If this isn't clickbait then the Sens are winning the cup next year

No player in Marner's position would sign a one year deal. He goes down with an injury he's so f*cked.

Less is more Ek.

You're wrong man. Take the L.
- Deeps27

Not t saying you are wrong but why did Chicago have to trade Hossa away then?
I thought they did it so they would have the cap space. I know you can use it in the summer but you had to be cap compliant at the start of the season and then they had to place the player on ll tr
After first game of season. That's why I believe the Hawks got rid of the Hossa. If not why would give AZ players to take the contract?

So Bud fans who is more valuable Marner or Mathews? One shows up every night and the other not so. One works PP and PK the other only PP? Mathews to Coyotes for a boatload. I like Marner long term as he brings me to my feet more.
- Jeeps

One played with Zach Hyman, one played with John Tavares.
AM has 111 goals and 205pts in 212 career games. 0.97PPG
MM has 67 goals and 224pts in 241 games. 0.93PPG. Marner has 42% of his points in one season playing alongside one of the best goal scorers in the league.

While I like MM, you build around AM.

Not t saying you are wrong but why did Chicago have to trade Hossa away then?
I thought they did it so they would have the cap space. I know you can use it in the summer but you had to be cap compliant at the start of the season and then they had to place the player on ll tr
After first game of season. That's why I believe the Hawks got rid of the Hossa. If not why would they have given AZ ,players to take it.
- HamiltonHawk

Might have something to do with Chicago not wanting to risk it given how made up his jock itch IR issue was

Might have something to do with Chicago not wanting to risk it given how made up his jock itch IR issue was
- poopstash

Knew that was coming

Well said good sir

Knew that was coming
- HamiltonHawk

Well like good for Chicago for getting away with it

But c'mon

Waiting in the Weeds!
- HolyDiver83

Hope he remembers how to get back to the home.

It's weird how it's only people with terrible contracts that seem to get all the random out of the blue career ending conditions.
- HealthyScratch6

True. James Neal needs a career ending condition now.

Marner would have to SIGN that sheet.

And he would rather play in Toronto for 8 years at 4 million/yr than anywhere else for 16.

Just ask any Leafs fan....

Not t saying you are wrong but why did Chicago have to trade Hossa away then?
I thought they did it so they would have the cap space. I know you can use it in the summer but you had to be cap compliant at the start of the season and then they had to place the player on ll tr
After first game of season. That's why I believe the Hawks got rid of the Hossa. If not why would give AZ players to take the contract?
- HamiltonHawk

It's simply easier to manage the cap without having to jump through LTIR hoops. Once you use LTIR, other issues such as bonus overages come into play.

Marner would have to SIGN that sheet.

And he would rather play in Toronto for 8 years at 4 million/yr than anywhere else for 16.

Just ask any Leafs fan....
- RippedFuel

Ripsie!

How you doing, buddy?

Haven't seen you in the Leafs thread for a while.

You know you are always welcome there!

Please drop by.

Honestly, what team would risk four firsts for one year? That is a move you would risk if you can get a McDavid. Not a Marner.

was the site traffic getting too low?

Honestly, what team would risk four firsts for one year? That is a move you would risk if you can get a McDavid. Not a Marner.
- Mahewman

Cue Ek's next blog: Is Marner more valuable than MacDavid?

Honestly, what team would risk four firsts for one year? That is a move you would risk if you can get a McDavid. Not a Marner.
- Mahewman

Marner > McDavid
Matthews > McDavid
Reilly > McDavid
Tavares > McDavid
Kapanen > McDavid
Kerfoot > McDavid

Ask any Leafs fan

Cue Ek's next blog: Is Marner more valuable than MacDavid?
- mgriffen