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He finished 3rd in selke voting for the 23 season and I think 17th in the 24 season. He plays defense and is good at it. Unsure of where he'll fall in this year's Selke conversation but I don't think Buffalo should complain about a top 20 defensive forward.

People talk about Marner's Selke votes and that he does play 2 way hockey but I'm curious as to what his defensive stats are in the playoffs? To my eyes every year that core 4 gets shut down offensively in the playoffs when it gets tough but also fails defensively and allows goals against. One year the worst guy was Marner, another year it was Matthews. One year Nylander was good another he was invisible. This year I personally thought Matthews was the worst of them but they never delivered as a whole and Marner was part of that. His size makes him less effective come playoff time as well. I don't want to follow that model. Would Marner get us into the playoffs? Maybe. Would we get past round 1? Not a chance. I'd be hesitant if I was GM to make Marner a plan as I suspect if we talked to him his agent would just use us as leverage for another deal and we'd be left hanging. So it would be one good offer and if it was not taken I'd move to plan B right away. But if I was GM Marner wouldn't be my plan anyway. As I've said elsewhere, I'd rather give the money to Bennett and Marchand if I was going to go to spend crazy. I wouldn't be shocked if the Leafs are thinking that very same thing.

I'd root for Dallas with much more enthusiasm if it weren't for their spearmint green primary color.

I don't want Eichel to one up McDavid...Eichel was painful

There's so many whys flying around in here. The answer is always the same... $$$

I don't want them to look down the road so to speak but at very least look for potholes or other hazards on the road. Nothing we can hope to acquire would make me feel good trading next year's 1st.

I agree fully about the front office and I stick with what I've said many times. This all started when LaFontaine went out the door. Nobody in that role since and that's all on TP. The on ice comparison holds though. Sure, it's a different game today etc. but the dynamics of a good hockey team are still the same. That team had a high octane top line, a checking line that could counter punch and score and grit and character in the bottom six with a third line that had upside offence as well. The D had size but also puck moving skill. It was a balanced roster. Had a great PK as well as a good PP. Players had roles and players stuck to them with decent and sometimes very good coaching. A star goalie was all it was missing or it might have been a dynasty. Definitely would have won a cup or two. None of that team makeup for success has changed.

I put it in one of the many other threads, but if he's willing to embrace the hatred and join the Sabres out of spite/anger at the Leafs, then he's welcome to join. He gets a chance to one-up them and stick it to them on an annual basis, but still stay close to the area. Alas, mind tricks don't work for Sabres, only money! The issue is... why would any top-UFA choose to sign with Adams? The Pegula-new-owner-shine and big money that enticed Leino/Ehrhoff/Moulson and initially ROR has long since evaporated and for all good reasons. All you get now are 1-year trade-me Taylor Hall deals (and Zucker although he re-signed, the concept was the same). Would he make the team better? Yes. Does signing him basically kick Tuch long-term-extension off the table? Also, yes. It forces JJP to be bridged. And where does TNT play then, left wing? So is JJP one-and-done with arbitration? Is it a long-term win to have Marner and still only a bunch of unproven centers and ever-injured Norris in the top 6? It's a fun conversation.

The only way he comes here is if he gets paid. I don’t think he’s worth it, offense isn’t the Sabres problem. Consistency, defense and putting a full 60 in each game is as far as I can tell. Marner doesn’t add to any of that, yes or no?

The Sabres hockey organization deserves to be criticized for the on ice product, but the City of Buffalo has been a friendly place for players to play in. Both hockey and football players have an easy time finding good housing, good schools, easy commutes, relatively low cost of living, easy press to deal with, and nice people dying for a winning team again. The City of Good Neighbors is not just a slogan. What will hold Marner back is he has a chance to go somewhere and win more. Why gamble on the Sabres?

I do understand, but I also do think that's a loser mentality that the franchise has driven into you with all the failure (and maybe you magnify it with the Bills as a "city"). If one keeps thinking that way. If the franchise keeps looking down the road in case of these things, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Look, the bottom line is we already know Dahlin put them on notice. He told Adams he's tired of this and he expects improvements now. I guarantee you if they crap out this coming season he's gone. That might even be why Adams gets another year. He's on notice to get it done this year or else. If he doesn't they clean house and the next guy guts it trading Dahlin maybe Thompson, and we start a new 5 year plan same way Adams gutted it with Eichel Reinhart Risto. It'll suck, but that'll be the TP plan. We have the assets. Get it done now. Future picks don't matter.

If Buffalo had a better reputation as a well functioning organization and a seriously competitive team, western NY would be an appealing location for many players on the market due to its proximity to southern Ontario and Toronto. That area is where a lot of players grew up and where a lot of players reside in the offseason. However, based on the history of the Pegula era of ownership it's sad to acknowledge that Buffalo is one of the top locations listed on "No Trade Clauses NTC" for many of the upper tier players. And that shouldn't be a surprise It would be difficult to fit in a potential Mariner contract. But that's not to say that it couldn't be done with some creative maneuvering by a capable GM, something that all franchises do. This franchise created a big hole for itself. It needs to be more intelligently run for an extended period of time to climb out of it. I don't realisticallt see Marner coming here. But wouldn't it be exciting to see Marner on a top line with Tage and Tuch.

I have 1 offer Offer him 98mil on a 7 year deal with 28mil deferred It ends up at 7x14mil, 4mil deferred each year to be paid 7 years into the future. Drops cap hit to 12.75mil As in 4mil deferred year 1 is paid in year 8 and so on.

I'm not a gambler but I'd consider Columbus with those numbers. They still have all the Gaudreau money and they could be looking for a big piece (like they were with him originally) to build on their surprising season last year.

Marner totally doesn't play defense.. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-enjoy-it-back-there-maple-leafs-mitch-marner-shines-on-both-ends-of-the-ice-scores-overtime-winner-after-taking-shifts-on-defense Derp.

But he does play solid defense from the RW position, he is a playmaker, and he can score goals and take face-offs.

Umm, Selke votes and he doesn’t play D?

Correct. Marner is an upgrade over Quinn in every phase of the game. He would improve the two-way play of the top line and bring in playmaking. This pushes someone else to the second line, and pushes another player down to the 3rd line. Three lines could get better if there was a way to sign him. Quinn could be packaged for help at goalie, defense, etc.

Good luck getting this solved before fly fishing season is over.

No doubt he can make the pp better, and he will make the team better. The cap increases from $88M to $95M $12M+ is going to be a tough target if we are also going to improve defense and goaltending. If Levi emerges next season we catch a big break but its a gamble to count on that.

Big No for Edmonton, I don’t want McDavid or Draisaitl to get a Cup. Actually I want McDavid to leave Edmonton after his contract is up!

Overpaid and doesn't play D. He's a perfect fit !

I agree. I’m just making a point. First time guys can thrive and often do. The notion that they need an experienced guy or they need some senior level POHO runs contrary to the way the leagues most successful teams have been run.