When you’re a bottom-feeding team, you call this a good problem to have. When you’re Kyle Dubas and the Leafs, writes reporterchris, it’s more like walking across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope. With a headache.
Without knowing what Marner’s cap number is going to be — or maybe evenhe’s willing to sign for something the Leafs might stomach — Dubas has his hands tied entering this off-season. A creative contract that might keep Jake Gardiner in Toronto? Forget about it. New deals for Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson? Only if they accept a qualifying offer, and that’s not happening.
Now the Leafs don’t fear one of those — and with good reason. Not only do they have the right to match any offer, they can also take a haul of four unprotected first-round picks in the unlikely event a rival tables something so far out of line with the marketplace that it’s not worth doing so. . Two types of comparables will be discussed when negotiations get going again: Those from the inside, namely Auston Matthews and John Tavares , and those given out by other NHL teams.
Marner appears capable of keeping company with the best of the best at his position, but after finishing as Toronto’s top point producer for two seasons running, how much less should he be asked to take than two teammates? Does a shorter bridge contract offer an acceptable compromise?
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