|A brilliant move by Lamoriello.  This is a lot of annual money and the term is questionable but the competition for him likely demanded it.  More to the point, barring an injury that sets him out for a month or more in the first year this is an investment in the betterment of every player on the team and particularly the potential rising stars.  Just two good years from Marleau and his many superior game situation skills combined with the potential impact upon the cerebral and skill learning curves of Marner, Mathews, Nylander,  and Kadri,  etc.. . is a risk worth taking and money well spent.  A third year  is likely a hoped for bonus whose cap cost they have thought hard about and decided to go with (maybe he'll  be on the coaching staff by then).  While they sort out the plan for defencemen and how to gain those pieces for a Cup run this is a solid shot for a longer run in the playoffs soon and for the success of the team and it's franchise players over the next 2 to 7 years.