I disagree.
While I wouldn't have lobbied for Marleau, the impact he had on Marner and Matthews specifically, with him taking them in, keeping them out of trouble, letting them see how he prepares, and saving teenage millionaires from being alone in a big city has value. Ask Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Seguin, and Patrick Kane.
We had the cap space, and it was an investment in their long-term personal development.
I don't like their contracts either, but you can blame Dubas and their agents for that. Marleau had nothing to do with it, and it's a little silly to imply he should have been whispering in their ear to take less money. That's on the player's, their families, and the agents.