2/ In the playoffs, Marner plays like a $5m player. The Leafs are already objectively better now, and should improve even more, just based on the fact that there additions cumulatively will be worth close to what they're paid. Marner was not. Here's a snapshot of his closest playoff comps.

Most excited I've been for a season since the Montreal series. So glad Marner is gone.

Here's an image of his playoff comparables from 2023 to 2025 with their current cap hit. Addition by subtraction at its finest.

Ran some comparables for Marner's playoff production from 2023 to 2025 (3 years) at Even Strength.

Pretty strong argument that he's amongst the most overpaid players in the league. Absolutely awful comparables, with an average cap hit south of $5m. The only one close is J. T. Miller at $8m. Oof.

@mirtle.bsky.social @jonassiegel.bsky.social

Listened to the most recent podcast, and wanted to point out a structure for Tavares where his cap hit is about $1m less than what he is paid over the first 4 years. In the pic, it's $4m, with a $3.1m AAV. Works similar at $5m (~$4m AAV). Thoughts?

Promoting Domi is an easy way to do it as well. He's shown that in the playoffs and in the limited time he has played with Matthews, he's basically every bit as impactful as Marner at 5v5.

Easy to replace Domi and add from there with $14m in cap space.

Donated $60 USD. No question required. But love your content.

Funny thing with Marner is that we already have his replacement. Domi over a fairly large sample of playoff games has been an outright better player.

Scores goals and points at a higher rate. Outscores his opponents at 5v5. Plays with dramatically worse teammates while doing it.

I should also note that I'm not sure what Puck Pedia's source is for its rules. For what it's worth, ChatGPT references the original rules I utilized, and also concludes it is compliant.

Glad people are cross-checking. I'm surprised Wikipedia had it wrong. With that said, using Puck Pedia's guidance, the result is very similar.

From what I've read, the structure below will pay him $4m in real money for up to 4 years, while keeping his cap hit under $3.1m.

Works similar if the base in the first 4 years is $5m annually, with about $4m AAV.

This is what we should do to retain him until LTIR or Retirement.

Pretty sure we could do something like this, and the AAV would be just under $3.1m.

After tax, a $7m x 3 would be only a few million more. Don't think he'd uproot his family for that over getting a guarantee of retiring a Leaf, and finishing his career at home.

Hey @puckpedia.com

Are you able to confirm whether this contract structure would work for Tavares next season?

I think it meets the relevant criteria to work, while providing a steep discount on the AAV.