He'll always be second pairing so long as OEL is in front of him. And getting a 2-3 minute eating type isn't the worst use of a pick outside the top 10. Florida was disappointed with JayBo but had he gone ten or fifteen picks later, he'd have been a great choice instead of just unfulfilled potential.
I think having Marner next year is essentially warping forward Keller's development by a few years, eliminating the risk of a holdout, and installing chemistry with existing London products. All of that for a team that badly needs a RW and is trying to compete on a shoestring budget. That's worth Chychrun to me, but I don't see him as having elite upside.
At some point a trade ceases to be about accruing the most paper value or shiny toys. Other factors come into play. If Marner had potted 60 points in the NHL already, would this even be a question?
Who in Florida was disappointed with Jay? All i remember was Bouwmeester being frustrated that he was working really hard for a losing team and he wouldn't sign an extension with them, also his Father getting quoted hating on Florida, But he lead their team in scoring for defenseman 4 years in a row, played top-pairing and had 3 40+ point seasons before be was 25. He was also the best Iron-Man in the league for a long time not missing any games for 7 straight seasons. I don't know how they can regret drafting a player like that at #3 considering he was gone from Florida before he started declining.
Chychrun can also be a top-pairing quality man while playing second pairing. It's just like Malkin in Pitts, is he not a 1st line quality Centerman because he plays second line behind Crosby? So yes he may be a second pairing guy, but he could be one of the best in the league. Also if Chych becomes like JayBo i'd personally be happy, but i think he's still got more potential than that.
And Marner hasn't potted any points in the NHL so that's not an argument, saying that you'd also have to ask yourself what if Keller played in the OHL and put up 2 PPG? Would a D with potential like Chych still be worth losing to fill the gap? Marner and Keller as basically the same player, Marner is just a bit better than Keller at most aspects of the game, that being said he's also a year older.
As for the team needing a RW they really do, but not a rookie one (especially is Strome makes the roster this fall), Versteeg or someone cheap and reliable would be just as good for a year if Tippet is wanting to win. Thousands of players have lead great careers without their junior chemistry and having Domi should be enough for Dvorak anyways.
Marner is the best player of the three (as of now) but filling a positional need isn't worth a big overpayment (i think we can agree that it is from the poll results) when you have all summer to look elsewhere for a more experienced player to play on an already young team.
I lover Marner but thats just too much to risk in terms of 2 blue-chips for 1 shiny blue-chip
