Maybe this is old news, but it was new to me. Elliotte Friedman said on the Spittin Chiclets podcast that Columbus wanted to offer sheet Marner, but Marner would only sign a short term deal (3-4 years). Columbus wanted the maximum seven. 

For what Marner was asking, Columbus could have been sending 4 first round picks to Toronto. Jarmo may not always be right, but he sure is willing to go for it.