This is 2019 not 2007. The salary cap isn't the same and Ovechkin has exactly 0 relevance here.
If you emphasize the word "proven" I agree. They absolutely are not proven in the playoffs, and anyone who disagrees is simply wrong.
But - just because they're not proven it doesn't mean they can't still be a contender, even a top one. I do have a few teams above them myself - i'd probably rank them 6th in terms of contenders - but they absolutely can be and are a top contender still. Great team/roster, and Tavares is a very big Add.
Kucherov took a discount. Not a huge one - but a discount nonetheless. Absolutely. I think he very easily could have gotten 11-12M long term (yes even as an RFA, we're not even talking UFA money here) if he wanted. His age, constant progression, ability shown in the playoffs, and the fact that he torched the league as the best player for the first 75% of last season (he did slow up a bit towards the end) were enough to warrant that.
I know right? I would too.
My guess is - Marner demands 11 but is happy to settle for 10. Leafs hope for 9 but agree to settle for 10. I'd be shocked if he got 11 (Kuch > him in value last year imo, since we're comparing the 2), but i think 10, or even 10.5 on the high end could be possible. 9.5 is plausible too. I'd be shocked if it landed anywhere else.