herman said:
g) No one believes what Dreger was regurgitating as his own thoughts about the Leafs being more open to re-signing Marner than trading him. That is clear-cut posturing from Ferris so that when there is a trade to be made, Marner looks like the really good guy who unselfishly sacrificed his own dream to help his childhood team.
I doubt that conclusion.
Even the Leafs GM acknowledged Marner controls his destiny with his NMC. A simple blunt fact.
Apparently, Dreger has some connection to Marner's agent. He did for the last deal.
Lebrun echoed something roughly similar.
The message Lebrun conveyed was that Marner is no longer talking about a contract extension until after the season starts and his intention is to start the season in Toronto. Dreger conveyed that the Leafs are coming around to the notion of an extension - because Marner doesn't want to be traded.
When the crazy Utah rumour was posted on Twitter, Marner and the Leafs vehemently shot it down and were reported to be upset by it. When Elliotte Friedman reported on the Marner situation, he said it was a no win because no matter what he said people on both sides were getting mad.
So, if the guy has agreed to being traded, why is he getting so upset about the trade rumours (- something that would be true)? He's leaving town. Why should he care at that point? That is more like the behavior of someone who is intent on sticking around - as his fans are being misled and may turn against him like they did Sundin. And the Leafs reaction trying to shut it down and getting upset themselves - why should they care so much if they're about to send him packing? Again, the sensitivity and the anger bely a management team that doesn't want this player pissed off at them over this.
I'm largely and generally with Joe, Lebrun & Dreger. There is no blessing for a trade at this time. There isn't likely going to be one any time soon. It will likely end with retention, departure as a UFA or a small chance that he gets fed up during the season and allows them to trade him without a contract for next season (which is very doubtful because that will hurt their playoff chances). That is consistent with what his agent wanted all along: to get him to a UFA position toward the end of this season. It also fits with not hurting his UFA destination team because he can go there for no talent cost - which helps his future team.
When the dust settles, Treliving will say to save face and preserve their relationship "we kicked tires but it was complicated with the high cap hit and we didn't like the return" ... which takes a bunch of the heat off Marner to keep the door ajar for them to avoid losing him for nothing (which Dreger says they're coming around to).
Anything is possible in this life but I continue to have major doubts Marner is going anywhere anytime soon.
