Do Dreger (or any media for that matter) make mention on how likely it is that Marner would sign such an offer? Or that Marner would use such an offer against the Leafs to make more money? The fact that a GM would prepare or even offer a contact to a player of Marner's calibre is not really news but Marner actually signing an offer would be. Either the offer is 4 first round picks or the Leafs match IF Marner actually signs it. How many teams have their first round picks for the next 4 years? How many teams, that have their picks, are in a good enough position that they can afford to give these picks up, have the substantial money to fit Marner under the cap as well as the money to pay their own players. Without looking, I'm going to guess good teams are pretty close already and have their own players they need to sign. Maybe a crappy or middling team might have the picks and the space but these teams are going to give up cheap, possibly impact rookies... for the next 4 years? Marner is going to want to sign on to that?
Or will he look at the team he's already on, with the players and a plan for success and sacrifice a few million over the next 7 years for this money? If he did, the quality of that team might cost him a whole lot more than the money he took in his first real contract. I guess if his hometown team came calling, they might have a little bit of an edge in negotiations but what are the odds that this would happen?