John Tavares Sends Message to Mitch Marner After Signing Hometown Deal with Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
John Tavares makes a final plea for Mitch Marner to stay as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tavares has openly expressed the idea of Mitch Marner returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, being the first time a Leaf has commented on the ongoing contract dispute being Marner and Toronto.
After signing a four-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tavares spoke to reporters and spoke on Marner and how he'd like to have him back as a Leaf:
You always hold out hope that a person and a player like Mitch ends up staying, but you're also realistic of the situation and what potentially could happen.
If he does move on, wish him the best. But you always hold hope that it works out. - John Tavares (via Luke Fox/Sportsnet)
If he does move on, wish him the best. But you always hold hope that it works out. - John Tavares (via Luke Fox/Sportsnet)
What seems apparent is that Mitch Marner will be going to free agency on July 1st to test the open market, although that ending with him re-signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs one that seems more and more unlikely.
Marner is looking to potentially command a contract of around $13M for the next seven-years, perhaps even more if he can get it, a price that has already become too steep for a couple of teams, including Toronto.
Despite the dispute in numbers, Tavares has expressed what he hopes is Marner returning to the team, although admitting the situation will make it difficult and accepts the challenge of bringing Marner back.
Is there a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs re-sign Mitch Marner?
The chance of the Toronto Maple Leafs bringing back Mitch Marner seem slim, but it's not impossible.
The Leafs signed Tavares to a deal for four years worth $4.38M, giving Toronto some added flexibility in the free agent market, whether to sign multiple free agents, making trades, or even re-sign Marner if they can get to a number.
The team now has over $21M in cap space for next season, allowing for Marner to sign if money is less of an issue. With Matthew Knies left to be signed, Marner could potentially take a bridge deal for less at two-years with a chance to chase a Cup with Toronto one last time.
Even if they don't sign Marner, the money could still be used to lure in a big fish with the potential to replace Marner in the top-six.
What would get Mitch Marner to return to Toronto?
More than anything, Marner wants to be able to win and have a major role on the team.
Rumored destinations for Marner include the Vegas Golden Knights, along with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, spots that would give him the chance to be a #1 option for a team instead of second fiddle to Auston Matthews.
A team like the Chicago Blackhawks would allow for Marner to lead as a veteran alongside Connor Bedard, with Marner driving the offense until Bedard gets to a place of leadership.
Toronto has been a city where Marner has struggled with the media spotlight and mental stress that comes with playing in such a highly covered city, struggling to overcome his mental side for his childhood team, making a move to a quieter NHL media space a possibility.
No one knows for sure what Mitch Marner is doing, but it's clear there's still a fight from within the Toronto Maple Leafs to have him back, although compromise is the only path forward to repairing what has seemingly become a fractured partnership.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 28 | 627 ANSWERS John Tavares Sends Message to Mitch Marner After Signing Hometown Deal with Maple Leafs Can Mitch Marner still remain a Toronto Maple Leaf or is that done? | ||
| Yes | 157 | 25 % |
| No | 470 | 75 % |
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