Signing Mitch Marner would be an awful idea for the Chicago Blackhawks

Marner's contract could become an albatross

Let’s assume for a second that the Blackhawks go all-in and pay whatever it takes to get Marner. That situation could tip the scales in favor of the Hawks, making the team a wild card contender this upcoming season.

That’s good in the short term. But what about the long term?

The problem is that the Hawks will need to max out Marner’s contract. That situation could mean Marner’s contract might become an albatross down the road. Let’s think about five or even six years down the road.

Will Marner still be an effective player at around 33 or 34 years old?

What if injuries catch up to him?

Will the Blackhawks be able to trade his contract then?

Those questions should raise legitimate concerns for the Blackhawks since the club will be expected to compete by then. As such, an anchor of a contract like Marner’s could make it tough for the Hawks to re-sign players or attract new free agents.

If Marner doesn’t live up to his mega-contract, a buyout could be on the horizon. That situation means dead cap space further limiting the team’s ability to utilize its resources to build a winning team.

If Marner were five years younger, I’d say go for it. But in my estimation, any team that signs him long term, other than the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be taking a huge gamble that might not yield the desired outcomes.