Quote:
Originally Posted by TOfan
Well, there could be plenty of reasons.
Maybe he would welcome a move out of Toronto. Maybe he understands that landing on a contender might not be realistic. Maybe he wants to be in a market that is less hockey focussed so he can have some anonymity, maybe he’s able to take a look at a team and see they are on a trajectory that he fits well into and likes the owner, the coach, the team…..who knows. I don’t think it’s as black and white as you’re making it. There’s likely many factors at play here.
Or, and maybe you’re right, he just wants to play in Toronto and that’s it. Kadri exercised his right to block a trade out of Toronto.
One thing I do think is likely though is Marner is going to be heavily scrutinized in Toronto, i would say more than any other player on that team and probably across the league.
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I live in Ontario and have lots of leaf friends. Your last para is what they think, they can just torture him out of town. Not sure that will work. But the idea that the Leafs wants to trade Marner because he is one dimensional and does not show up in the playoffs and that there is another team that wants to give up a haul for a one dimensional player who does not show up in the playoffs is somewhat contradictory.
At the end of the day I think Marner will do whatever is best for him to maximize his salary for his next contract. That has always been the calling card for the Toronto core and I am not sure why that would change now. If being traded to Columbus is that move in his mind then maybe he waives to a non-contender. But I suspect he and his agent know a solid playoff performance is worth 10-15 million USD on a 7 year contract, so for that reason. I doubt he goes to a non-contender.