Mitch Marner's Free Agency Path May Be Heading in a New Direction, per Elliotte Friedman
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Mitch Marner is looking to get paid this summer, but according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, he might decide to go for a bit of a shorter-term deal instead.
With the Mitch Marner saga still working towards a conclusion with only a few weeks until we figure out what'll happen, all the talk is about the length and price of what it's going to take to land him.
All sorts of potential scenarios have been proposed, however NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman believes that there is another one that might interest Marner.
Mitch Marner could sign short-term deal: Elliotte Friedman
Speaking on his 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman explained that Marner's future contract doesn't necessarily need to have the seven or eight year length attached to it in order to make things work:
I'll tell you something Kyle, there was a rumour around this week that a few teams heard is that Marner might not be looking to sign a seven year deal, he might look at a four year deal, then go for another one; much like Auston Matthews did in his career. - Elliotte Friedman
It wouldn't be a bad idea for Marner to give teams more of an audition than a commitment, considering that he'll be only 32 by the time the deal ends, and if he can prove himself in the playoffs and keep up his normal offensive pace; he could make even more money on the next deal.
Why Mitch Marner might end up back with the Maple Leafs
With Marner potentially entertaining offers in the four-year range, there is a high possibility the team tries to bring him back once that contract expires in 2029-2030.
It would be crazy for sure, but if the Maple Leafs are in a better spot come that time, and Marner has proven he can perform in the playoffs (maybe with a Cup in his trophy cabinet) then it wouldn't be surprising to see an attempt at a reunion.
There's also a huge possibility the team ended up tired of the Marner antics with his negotiations and unwillingness to help the team on his way out. Does leaving then coming back mean he's more mature? One would hope but nothing is guaranteed.
It would be certainly interesting to see Mitch Marner take a four-year deal, much like Auston Matthews has done in the past.
Maybe it's a sign that he's trying to not only imitate him, but keep the Maple Leafs in the back of his mind, just in case.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 15 | 530 ANSWERS Mitch Marner's Free Agency Path May Be Heading in a New Direction, per Elliotte Friedman Will Mitch Marner sign a long-term or a short-term deal? | ||
| Long-term | 284 | 53.6 % |
| Short-term | 246 | 46.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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