You want a playoff performer but guys are paid for regular season statistics, too. That's just a fact of the NHL contracts - when I think of Marner, though, I tend to - and I think many of us do - consider Aho and Rantanen as primary comparables. Both were pass first kind of players when they signed their deals - Rantanen probably compares more to Nylander and Pastrnak now since he's become more of a shooter. That said . . .

Rantanen is entering the final year of his 6 x $9.25m deal.

Over the five years, in league scoring, he was 130th (missed about 28 games but had 41pts in 42 games), 7th, 15th, 8th and 8th (By contrast over the same period Marner was 18th, 4th, 10th, 13th and 23rd (but did miss 13 games).

Aho, another comparable often used for Marner, just finished a 5 year, $8.5m deal - and just extended @ 8x $9.75m.

He has been 20th, 17th, 30th, 63rd and 18th in league scoring.

Aho does have 13 points in 19 games 5-7 in the playoffs, but it should be noted that he has been terrible against the Atlantic with Carolina losing 4-0 and 4-1 to Boston, 4-1 to Tampa and 4-0 to Florida - with one 4-3 series win against Boston. In the 5 series culminating games against the Atlantic he has 1 assist.

In a head-to-head comparison, Marner gets the nod over Aho. Contractually I think Marner compares more appropriately to Rantanen than Aho and the $1.7m difference in their contracts is probably inflated, I'd agree, due to the Tavares effect.
- Monkeypunk

A lot of leaf fans don't believe you or feel regular season performers should be paid 25 cents on the dollar of their worth. Or you know trade Matthews cause his 69 goals didn't matter in the playoffs. No really. I've read such things.

Now do Pasta

- jribout

We all know what a steal he was - but I mean in his ELC he had 27, 26 and 70 points - with his final year being a 34 goal performance, leading to a $6.7m x 6 deal . . .but he carried on over that same period with 4th, 36th, 40th, 4th and 5th - with the last year being the first of his new 8 x $11.25m deal.

What a value deal for the Bruins he was.

Jerks.

As much as I get pissy about certain players and even though Leafs haven't won the Cup in over half a century, pretty classy organization the way they handle things like this.

Every year at the end of the season I (frank)ing hate the team. Every year at the end of the summer I can't wait for the season to start.

So I'll get out of the way now before the in-season female doging starts...

Go Muthafuking Leafs Go!!! Maybe this is the year I won't be pissed at the end of the season.

The Leafs are the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL
- Buffalo--Sabres

Now that's funny.

Well done Buffalo.

Now that's funny.

Well done Buffalo.
- underhill14

with one exception
Toronto has windows ........

The hockey talk is saner in the summer.

During the season, we would have had flame wars and idiotic politics by now.

Of course I just jinxed it. 😆

with one exception
Toronto has windows ........
- dmnted

For any of us who are in their late 40s or 50s and grew up in Southern Ontario, we watched Saturday morning cartoons hosted by Commander Tom on Buffalo news.

During the Saturday morning cartoons at 11:00 they would tell you what the news at noon was going to cover - and I recall them saying, like every Saturday, "A fire rages in downtown Tonawanda," and I would think, "Why doesn't anyone put that fire out?"

So I was also a stupid child.

with one exception
Toronto has windows ........
- dmnted

Exactly.

For any of us who are in their late 40s or 50s and grew up in Southern Ontario, we watched Saturday morning cartoons hosted by Commander Tom on Buffalo news.

During the Saturday morning cartoons at 11:00 they would tell you what the news at noon was going to cover - and I recall them saying, like every Saturday, "A fire rages in downtown Tonawanda," and I would think, "Why doesn't anyone put that fire out?"

So I was also a stupid child.
- Monkeypunk

Irv Weinstein.

Frankly, AM34 should have been captain all those years ago.

Alternate captains should be:

Rielly
Tavares
Marner (on occasion)

Frankly, AM34 should have been captain all those years ago.

Alternate captains should be:

Rielly
Tavares
Marner (on occasion)
- mjones242

for the utah utes👊🏿

Who is #31 on the prospect list god dammit The suspense is unbearable!

struggle within
triggered aqain
now the Kool aid burns at both ends

twisting under Leafymania
falling deep into dmntia

old jerseys reappear
fighting the fear of fear
growing conspiracy Bettman is after me
frayed ends of Leafiness hear them caling me

Slashing out the action, retrieving puck reaction
Rielly clears the puck away
Grim Reaver makes you cower, crushing Owen Power
Leafs forecheck is here to stay

Smashing through your blue line
Find Matthews for the one time
Cannot stop transition game
Beating goalies gloveside
Puck across the goal line
Leafs powerplay converts today

I seen some highlights of the presser this morning. "I got chills when John told me" .......... what a tool

Every couple of years?

Don't be silly.

They've been doing it every year since 2008 ffs.

We're all tired of seeing the goddamn torch!
- Scabeh

Am I the only one who finds it weird and disrespectful that the Habs have co-opted In Flanders Fields for their own use?

Am I the only one who finds it weird and disrespectful that the Habs have co-opted In Flanders Fields for their own use?
- Atomic Wedgie

no, but only because it's the habs

I seen some highlights of the presser this morning. "I got chills when John told me" .......... what a tool
- Shynes57

Do you know what else is a tool?

Grammar check.

Jays should sign Jaun Soto

I seen some highlights of the presser this morning. "I got chills when John told me" .......... what a tool
- Shynes57

I saw some of the highlights, I have seen them, I did see them.

Slashing out the action, retrieving puck reaction
Rielly clears the puck away
Grim Reaver makes you cower, crushing Owen Power
Leafs forecheck is here to stay

Smashing through your blue line
Find Matthews for the one time
Cannot stop transition game
Beating goalies gloveside
Puck across the goal line
Leafs powerplay converts today


- GalacticStone

nice

I seen some highlights of the presser this morning. "I got chills when John told me" .......... what a tool
- Shynes57

Is that what you seen there Jethro?

You seen it did ya'?

I'm sure your family physician was happy to her you managed to put down the crack pipe for a few minutes and get someone else to rassle that there gator so you could show off your edumacation and do some readin'!

Good work or should I say it in yer native tongue? I'll give it a go - Guud Werk.

Am I the only one who finds it weird and disrespectful that the Habs have co-opted In Flanders Fields for their own use?
- Atomic Wedgie

We've had this conversation before I think but.... I don't think it's meant to be disrespectful at all.

Is that what you seen there Jethro?

You seen it did ya'?

I'm sure your family physician was happy to her you managed to put down the crack pipe for a few minutes and get someone else to rassle that there gator so you could show off your edumacation and do some readin'!

Good work or should I say it in yer native tongue? I'll give it a go - Guud Werk.
- Cush29

Careful now fellas. That there boys' team just won themselves that fancy Stanley Mug thing that them Canadianers are always yammering about.

Careful now fellas. That there boys' team just won themselves that fancy Stanley Mug thing that them Canadianers are always yammering about.
- Kinger34

Imagine being such a loser that 2 months after the team you cheer for wins the Stanley Cup you have nothing better to do than to go into other teams blogs and chirp? With terrible grammar to boot?