The Leafs Are Taking the Right Approach with Mitch Marner and Here's Why
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs have yet to agree to a contract extension with Mitch Marner, who can become an UFA this summer - but are they making the right move?
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner can become one of the highest profile free agents available on the open market on July 1 due to the Leafs and him not yet coming to any serious negotiations.
But that may not be a bad thing in the words of a well-known analyst.
Jay Rosehill: Marner Deserves To Wait; Leafs Doing Their Best
Jay Rosehill of Leafs Morning Take believes that the Leafs are taking the right approach in waiting until after the year is over to get anything done with Marner, and even suggests that it could be the right move to let him go considering the other top players Toronto boasts on their roster:
A guy like Marner, what he's done since 4 Nations and in the 4 Nations, it's just like, that in itself if you compartmentalize his situation, you go, 'How on Earth do you let that player go?'
As soon as he's gone, you're wanting someone just like him right back.
But you've already got a Willy! And you already have an Auston! And you already had the Mitch for a long time.
And at the end of the day, for a city that's starving for more, to do the same thing over again - I mean we had this conversation in the summer and the fall, and it's why I think it's too dangerous to extend Mitch Marner.
And it's not even against Mitch Marner personally, it's just that everyone else is locked up and he's kind of that one dude.
And Tavares as well, he's having a career year with 30 goals and he scored last night, and it's like, 'Why are you walking away from him, you can get him so much cheaper!'
As soon as he's gone, you're wanting someone just like him right back.
But you've already got a Willy! And you already have an Auston! And you already had the Mitch for a long time.
And at the end of the day, for a city that's starving for more, to do the same thing over again - I mean we had this conversation in the summer and the fall, and it's why I think it's too dangerous to extend Mitch Marner.
And it's not even against Mitch Marner personally, it's just that everyone else is locked up and he's kind of that one dude.
And Tavares as well, he's having a career year with 30 goals and he scored last night, and it's like, 'Why are you walking away from him, you can get him so much cheaper!'
Rosehill then notes the uncomfortable history of Marner and the Leafs beyond the regular season and their consistent inability to get Toronto over the hump of making a deep playoff run.
When the going gets hard and when it's time to get the good stuff done, they have over and over and over and over again disappointed.
At some point in time, you have to step back and say, 'Why? Why? Why is this team good and this team not?' And, I mean, the only thing that is consistent is that core group of players.
If they get bounced in the 1st round again, I mean, it's going to be pretty hard to justify, right? Especially if it's a game like last night when the guys who need to be difference makers aren't. Then it's going to be pretty easy, I think.
At some point in time, you have to step back and say, 'Why? Why? Why is this team good and this team not?' And, I mean, the only thing that is consistent is that core group of players.
If they get bounced in the 1st round again, I mean, it's going to be pretty hard to justify, right? Especially if it's a game like last night when the guys who need to be difference makers aren't. Then it's going to be pretty easy, I think.
It's going to be hard to keep Marner not only interested in sticking around with another playoff failure, but it could be a sign that something drastic needs to change with the current core in order to get things done.
Marner leads the Leafs with 80 points (21G, 59) in 64 games.
| POLL | ||
MARS 15 | 643 ANSWERS The Leafs Are Taking the Right Approach with Mitch Marner and Here's Why Do the Leafs need to re-sign Mitch Marner for them to have a real shot at the Stanley Cup? | ||
| Yes | 328 | 51 % |
| No | 315 | 49 % |
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