dappleganger
Well-known member
I think the screw up goes back to earlier years of negotiating a 2 year NMC at the end of the contract, and not moving him prior to it kicking in.
Leafs have zero leverage at that point.
It's a bargaining failure and asset management failure that is entirely on the shoulders of Dubas and Shanahan.
Yes, it's another colossal management screw up. if Marner wanted all the money he doesn't get NTC is last year of the deal.
Maybe this is a cultural change that Leafs management can implement. Maybe a team rule where you only get NMC/NTC if you sign for the max term? And still I'd put partial NTC in final year.
At some point you have to say to the player do you want to be here or not?
I keep looking at what Vegas has accomplished by not being afraid of making a bad move, quite frankly the Eichel deal could have easily blown up in their face. Leafs management seem paralyzed by the fear of making a bad/bold move.