Insider Chris Johnston Provides Major Update on Mitch Marner's Contract Status with the Leafs
He's got the chance to become one of the highest profile unrestricted free agents on the open market - what does the future hold for Toronto's Mitch Marner?
The Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially look vastly different next year, especially if they fail to go on a lengthy postseason run when the postseason begins next month.
The Leafs feature a pair of pending unrestricted free agents on their roster in Mitch Marner and John Tavares, both of whom are without contracts for next year.
Per a report from NHL analyst Chris Johnston, the Leafs and Marner haven't made any progress on a new contract but that their preference is to have him with the franchise long term.
Marner May Test Market: Chris Johnston
Johnston further compounded on Marner's situation with the Leafs and hinted that he could be looking forward to free agency this summer.
Toronto expressed interest in getting down to business on a contract extension in recent months, but the Marner camp was unwilling to engage during the season, according to league sources.
The Leafs wanted to sign a player who already sits fifth in franchise history in scoring for what remains of his prime and beyond.
Marner wasn't ready to make that commitment before Friday's trade deadline passed - not with a world of opportunity potentially ready to unfold before him this summer.
That explains, in part, why the Leafs entertained trade discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes centered around Rantanen before he was dealt to Dallas.
The big Finn could obviously have helped Toronto chase a Stanley Cup in the immediate term, but he also represented an insurance policy in the event Marner chose to walk out the door and the Leafs pivoted to signing him instead.
The Leafs wanted to sign a player who already sits fifth in franchise history in scoring for what remains of his prime and beyond.
Marner wasn't ready to make that commitment before Friday's trade deadline passed - not with a world of opportunity potentially ready to unfold before him this summer.
That explains, in part, why the Leafs entertained trade discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes centered around Rantanen before he was dealt to Dallas.
The big Finn could obviously have helped Toronto chase a Stanley Cup in the immediate term, but he also represented an insurance policy in the event Marner chose to walk out the door and the Leafs pivoted to signing him instead.
It's unfortunate that Marner's camp (more specifically agent Darren Ferris) is so adamant on squeezing every last penny out of his deals, and with the report they are only a few hundred thousand away from a deal is frustrating for fans.
Marner has played his entire NHL career with the Maple Leafs; he leads the team in scoring so far this year with 79 points (21G, 58A).
He's in the last year of a six-year, $65,418,000 contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $10,903,000.
We may not know if Marner is going to re-sign until season's end; let's just hope that end doesn't come as quickly as it historically does.
| POLL | ||
MARS 11 | 728 ANSWERS Insider Chris Johnston Provides Major Update on Mitch Marner's Contract Status with the Leafs Will Mitch Marner re-sign with the Maple Leafs this summer? | ||
| Yes | 509 | 69.9 % |
| No | 219 | 30.1 % |
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