Mitchell Marner, Unrestricted Free Agency

[JohnC]

9 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Buffalo has one thing going for it: it's close to Marner's family. He just had his first child and he may want to stay near his folks. Remember this is the same reason Jeff Skinner waived his NMC to come to Buffalo. I'm just sayin'.

I got a laugh listening to the recent Instigators podcast, after ragging on the Sabres for not spending to the cap, they pivot to "you know, Buffalo doesn't have enough cap to sign Marner AND their RFA's." 🤣

In isolation, it would be difficult to sign Marner at his expected salary and then be able to address the RFAs. But that doesn't preclude the Sabres making transactions that subtract salary. Juggling contracts, such as bringing in and shipping out contracts, is what every GM is required to do the cap system.  

[Taro T]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Buffalo has one thing going for it: it's close to Marner's family. He just had his first child and he may want to stay near his folks. Remember this is the same reason Jeff Skinner waived his NMC to come to Buffalo. I'm just sayin'.

I got a laugh listening to the recent Instigators podcast, after ragging on the Sabres for not spending to the cap, they pivot to "you know, Buffalo doesn't have enough cap to sign Marner AND their RFA's." 🤣

Well, 2 things can be true at the same time.  The Sabres HAVE been at least $8MM under the cap each of the past 4 seasons (after the Norris trade and injury callups they ended up with "only $6.5+" in space as the season ended, but they started at or extremely near $8MM in space) and courtesy of a $4.44 buyout charge for Skinner this coming season they likely would be hard pressed to sign Marner and ALL (which includes Byram) their RFAs this off-season.  

But, am pretty certain they aren't bringing Byram back and based on all the noise about Peterka at the trade deadline wouldn't be shocked to see him part of a trade package either.  So, it doesn't really matter that they couldn't bring ALL those guys into the fold this coming season.  There's not really any intention to be doing so with or without Marner.

[LGR4GM]

Something Buffalo must get better at: cycle creation

 

[DarthEbriate]

48 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Something Buffalo must get better at: cycle creation

 

All young teams.

For the Flyers specifically, I wonder how much of that is simply Michkov magic and his rush prowess.

[JP51]

On 5/22/2025 at 4:00 PM, Mustache of God said:

Why on earth would Marner choose to sign in Buffalo? 

I was gonna say, has anyone mentioned this to Mitch LOL...  "Its gonna take money... a whole lota spendin money... " 

[xzy89c1]

we would have to exceed the next highest bid by massive amount. Taxes in NY are a real detriment to Sabres and Bills.

1 hour ago, JP51 said:

I was gonna say, has anyone mentioned this to Mitch LOL...  "Its gonna take money... a whole lota spendin money... " 

I now have this awful song in my head.

[JP51]

44 minutes ago, xzy89c1 said:

we would have to exceed the next highest bid by massive amount. Taxes in NY are a real detriment to Sabres and Bills.

I now have this awful song in my head.

Me too! I figured I would share LOL 

[Palm Trees And Taxes]

Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Dallas are all in the front of the line for obviou$ rea$on$

After that, let's see if Buffalo has a shot at Marner.

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, xzy89c1 said:

we would have to exceed the next highest bid by massive amount. Taxes in NY are a real detriment to Sabres and Bills.

I now have this awful song in my head.

Kevyn? Is that you?

[Broken Ankles]

1 hour ago, Palm Trees And Taxes said:

Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Dallas are all in the front of the line for obviou$ rea$on$

After that, let's see if Buffalo has a shot at Marner.

Dallas is not in line for Marner.  In fact they are just about the only team that desperately needs to shed cap dollars.  But I get your point about the “tax states” getting big signings lately.  
 

Serious question.  What was the last big name UFA that was “over paid” (let’s use $13.5M for Marner) that paid dividends to that team? Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim was key to their D and helped win a cup.   Panarin has been solid to above average for the term of his UFA deal.  But no cup.  How many other signings have been abject failures?  Is the Tavares signing in Toronto a failure?  Still playing at a high level but didn’t his AAV affect what they could do with their RFAs?  
 
Not a fan of the risk/reward element around that type of commitment.  

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Palm Trees And Taxes said:

Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Dallas are all in the front of the line for obviou$ rea$on$

After that, let's see if Buffalo has a shot at Marner.

The fact Marner and wife just had their first child could be a big factor. Don't underestimate the desire to have family close by to help mom, especially when dad has to focus on hockey. 

That said, it's still a long shot. But here's an idea. What if Adams offered Marner a big 8 year contract BUT with an option for Marner to walk away after two years? That way if Buffalo isn't any better, he can re-enter free agency. 

[shrader]

41 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The fact Marner and wife just had their first child could be a big factor. Don't underestimate the desire to have family close by to help mom, especially when dad has to focus on hockey. 

That said, it's still a long shot. But here's an idea. What if Adams offered Marner a big 8 year contract BUT with an option for Marner to walk away after two years? That way if Buffalo isn't any better, he can re-enter free agency. 

That pesky little thing called the CBA prevents that.