Mitch Marner Linked to Eastern Conference Team in Free Agency, per NHL Analyst
Mitch Marner is going to either stay with Toronto, or jump ship elsewhere. There's not really any other choice in the matter, but could he reunite with his old GM?
All the talk recently about Mitch Marner's status with the Toronto Maple Leafs has everyone in a tizzy. The constant speculation has everyone wondering what the next move is, and in this game of negotiation chess both parties are playing; we're looking at a stalemate.
But one NHL analyst believes that the superstar forward is most assuredly going to leave for somewhere else, and more specifically notes the New York Islanders as a big-time target:
Also, look for the #Isles to be huge bidders on Mitch Marner if he makes it to market on 7/1. Not saying it's a lock by any means and I get Islanders fans skepticism because of how 7/1 typically treats them, but this situation is a little different.
1. Lamoriello and Marner have a relationship from their time in Toronto.
2. Marner is extremely close with Matt Martin and his kids and family. With Marner even spending sometime on the Island in the summers. Martin will certainly be big on selling Marner on the NYI.
3. Marner has been playing in the shadow of Matthews in Toronto. He certainly would be the guy on the Island, something he may relish.
4. With UBS hosting the All-Star game next year, ownership is going to want positive buzz around the team and for them to be good. From what I understand, the directive is for Lou to make a splash this off-season.
Again, nothing is a guarantee and he very well may end up elsewhere or even back in TO, but if there's ever a time where the Isles land the big fish, it's this summer, with this particular player.
1. Lamoriello and Marner have a relationship from their time in Toronto.
2. Marner is extremely close with Matt Martin and his kids and family. With Marner even spending sometime on the Island in the summers. Martin will certainly be big on selling Marner on the NYI.
3. Marner has been playing in the shadow of Matthews in Toronto. He certainly would be the guy on the Island, something he may relish.
4. With UBS hosting the All-Star game next year, ownership is going to want positive buzz around the team and for them to be good. From what I understand, the directive is for Lou to make a splash this off-season.
Again, nothing is a guarantee and he very well may end up elsewhere or even back in TO, but if there's ever a time where the Isles land the big fish, it's this summer, with this particular player.
New York Will Be A Solid Spot For Marner (If He Leaves)
So would Marner jump ship to Long Island? Hard to say, but there are a lot of factors that play into him leaving.
The connection to Lamoriello and the other players, and his desire to be recognized as the best will assuredly give New York the leg up on other teams like Chicago.
New York is on the cusp of succeeding but aren't there with their current roster. After blowing things up with Brock Nelson out of town, the team needs a new star and foundation to build around.
Plus, getting to gain some chemistry with Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov might finally get him into that elusive century-point plateau that's eluded him for his entire career.
But also, wouldn't it also be a tad bit poetic? John Tavares, the franchise icon of the modern day Islanders left the team for the Maple Leafs seven years ago, and Marner could do the reverse.
They have the extra cap, they have the connection, and the team will give Marner the spotlight he rightly deserves.
As each day passes, it looks like the time Toronto has with Mitch Marner is only going to get shorter, with less hope of an extension as time ticks away.
| POLL | ||
MARS 16 | 658 ANSWERS Mitch Marner Linked to Eastern Conference Team in Free Agency, per NHL Analyst Do you think Mitch Marner will stay with the Maple Leafs or will he sign with a team like the New York Islanders? | ||
| Stay with Toronto! | 326 | 49.5 % |
| Leave for somewhere else! | 332 | 50.5 % |
| List of polls | ||