And Marner is probably a top 5 passer. I have trouble putting anyone other than crosby, mcdavid, and kane higher than him
- BestRapperAlive

By the numbers, he's #3. Only McDavid and Kucherov had more.

Agreed, but if Marner is no threat to crank a clapper, makes it harder to shake your checker and get open. Again, jmo.
- bixll

I watched a video of Matthews goals last year. Doesn't seem to be a problem. I think guys are really nit-picking Marner right now. He has 5 options. AM, Kadri high slot, or throw it low the net to JT. Or find Reilly and regroup, or shoot. If you look at thePP last year it just got stale. Too many guys standing still while Marner moved around trying to get an open look pass. Early in the year the whole unit was cycling around and getting open, creating problems for the other team. Even Matthews, yes dear perfect Matthews stood around and waited a lot the second half.

The very fact that Marner quarterbacks the PP and is open to criticism rather than being the guy who taps it in speaks to how valuable he is. Why isn't he waiting for passes at the side of the net?

Accurate, but below average in velocity jmo..

Matthews has velocity..
- bixll

Below average?
Did you measure the velocity and compare to the average of the league?
Matthews is a scorer, we know he has a great wrister, most in the league dont have his wrister.

I watched a video of Matthews goals last year. Doesn't seem to be a problem. I think guys are really nit-picking Marner right now. He has 5 options. AM, Kadri high slot, or throw it low the net to JT. Or find Reilly and regroup, or shoot. If you look at thePP last year it just got stale. Too many guys standing still while Marner moved around trying to get an open look pass. Early in the year the whole unit was cycling around and getting open, creating problems for the other team. Even Matthews, yes dear perfect Matthews stood around and waited a lot the second half.
- aminnes

But, i am still entitled to have my own opinion, right.

But, i am still entitled to have my own opinion, right.
- bixll

I guess...

Below average?
Did you measure the velocity and compare to the average of the league?
Matthews is a scorer, we know he has a great wrister, most in the league dont have his wrister.
- Fakepartofme

I have played my entire life. My opinion of his shot is below the NHL average. Jmo

That's probably what happened and that's why they're still negotiating.

If the "report" AKA leaked information, is true and the offer in June was 7 or 8 and 11 AAV, that was probably the Leafs way of getting Marner's agent to avoid testing the RFA waters. They were probably worried that he was going to get an offer sheet. And Marner's agent probably thought the same which is why they probably declined and wanted to see what kind of offer sheet they could get. July and August have come and gone and that offer sheet never materialized. But the majority of the RFAs didn't sign a deal either.

Now at the start of camp, Dubas probably leaked some information to get the talks going a little faster, put some fan pressure on Marner's agent and the offer is probably lower (9ish) and Marner's agent is probably saying, we want that original offer to still stand.

So basically, right back where they started, one side asks for 11, the other side says 9, in the end, they end up somewhere at 10.
- JohnFergusonJr

Yeah, things don’t work that way. If he was worth $11 for 8 years or whatever in June, he’s worth it now.

From here on in, Dubas might move a little but it’s up to Mitchie to accept a deal or start checking Airbnb in Zurich

I guess...
- aminnes

Thanks

Both had won awards, put up more assists, more points and/or gone deep in the playoffs.

What other player scored 40 and got hurt twice? The whole "goals 5 on 5" criteria was never a criteria until Leafs fans began trying to justify the price tag.
- JohnFergusonJr

Sure, but I think when you try to project Matthews you look to those elite centres that walked into the league and dominated. Matthews missing games impacts his numbers and if there was some thought that it was chronic then it should impact what you're willing to invest but I don't think it did at all. Projecting him forward he's on par with those elite guys.

That's probably what they're arguing.

Nylander got paid on potential. Mathews got paid on potential. Marner wants to be paid on potential.

UFAs use to get overpaid for what they once did. RFAs are starting to ask to be paid for what they're going to do.

A lot of RFAs looked at MacKinnon and Hall and said to themselves, "I'm not getting underpaid to over-perform for years until I become a UFA".
- JohnFergusonJr

Here's the crux of the debate ...it becomes really subjective. Who's potential best is worth the most?

Dubas and co. believe it's Matthews. I agree.

Here's the crux of the debate ...it becomes really subjective. Who's potential best is worth the most?

Dubas and co. believe it's Matthews. I agree.
- The Law

I suspect his injuries are worse than people think. They tried to hide the pins coming out of his knee this spring. He's had two shoulder issues, a back issue and a knee issue and he's 22 years old. I will be shocked if he plays 82 games a season.

new blog everyone

Agreed, but if Marner is no threat to crank a clapper, makes it harder to shake your checker and get open. Again, jmo.

I am sure he works on it. He is not a big guy. He will get stronger.

On whatever team he plays for.
- bixll

Pettersson is weak as (frank) and has a laser.

Kane, Panarin, Debrincat also tiny players who have wicked shots.

Strength only helps so much imo.

Yeah, things don’t work that way. If he was worth $11 for 8 years or whatever in June, he’s worth it now.

From here on in, Dubas might move a little but it’s up to Mitchie to accept a deal or start checking Airbnb in Zurich
- Canada Cup

Things definitely work that way.

The offer is higher when there's other potential offers.

Without other potential offers, that initial offer comes down.

The Leafs offered 11 AAV when it was possible for somebody else to give it to him. Why would they keep that same offer when they know nobody else will give him that offer anymore?

Sure, but I think when you try to project Matthews you look to those elite centres that walked into the league and dominated. Matthews missing games impacts his numbers and if there was some thought that it was chronic then it should impact what you're willing to invest but I don't think it did at all. Projecting him forward he's on par with those elite guys.
- The Law

Being healthy matters. Malkin and Stamkos didn't miss games early in their career. They also put up higher point totals. Malkin did much better in the playoffs too. Matthews can score goals but his total numbers weren't high enough to compare to Malkin or even Stamkos.

This is a difference the Leafs can make:


Winnipeg Jets PR
@WpgJetsPR
Morrissey’s eight-year, $50 million contract breaks down as the following with an AAV of $6.25 million:
2020-21: $8 million
2021-22: $8 million
2022-23: $5.2 million
2023-24: $8 million
2024-25: $6.4 million
2025-26: $4.8 million
2026-27: $4.8 million
2027-28: $4.8 million

Morrissey took less in 2022-23 to guard against a lockout.

Leafs can put more there - in signing bonus.
- Atomic Wedgie

Leafs and Rangers can do that whenever they like.
Out of Panarin's 81.5M contract, 74.5M is signing bonus.
A lousy mill a year in base salary is quite laughable really

- The answer to the #taxbuzz issues...

Kucherov signed a while ago, prices have gone up.
You take the center. But that doesn't impact marners value. Kane and toews sign for the same coin. Of course they had cups
- Fakepartofme

The most intriguing trade would be Marner for Matthew Tkachuk. Both around the same age, both gunning for a large contract. You move skill and speed for toughness, grit and scoring. Tkachuk would probably pencil in around $8.25M per season, on a longer term deal. It's a commodity that the Leafs don't now possess. Sure, Marner will score more points than Tkachuk, but the playoff intangibles is something that can't be overlooked in a physical series. I just wonder if Calgary is game to make such a move?