Why Re-Signing Mitch Marner Would Be a Costly Mistake For the Toronto Maple Leafs

In the midst of a career year, which so happens to be a contract year, Mitch Marner has been unquestionably the Maple Leafs MVP this season. He's helped the team get through some rough patches, and has proven that he is absolutely among the NHL's best.

But he comes with a pretty big price tag when it comes to his next contract, and with the speculation around who might sign him and for how much; Marner is set for a big payday regardless.

Though the Maple Leafs would love to keep him, and he's made it clear he wants to stay in Toronto, a contract the magnitude of Marner's is going to make a wave regardless of where he signs.

However, it's a bad idea if the Maple Leafs do end up re-signing him and may be better off letting him walk.

Call me brazen, but I think keeping Marner around is more of a curse than a blessing.

It's a blessing to have his skillset, there's no denying that. A quietly elite two-way player, Marner has been nothing but spectacular since being drafted 4th overall.

In his 630 career games with Toronto, Marner has 210 goals and 500 assists while adding a plus-119 in just over 20 minutes of average ice time.

This season though has been outstanding. In 54 games, he has 16 goals and 55 assists and carrying the Leafs through two separate Auston Matthews injuries.

Speaking of Matthews, it's partially his fault, albeit indirectly.

Toronto has an internal cap on Matthews' deal and isn't willing to pay more than the $13.25M he currently makes; and Marner frankly deserves more (he's also not a glass cannon like Matthews).

All that is great right? Sign Marner, lock him up! What about John Tavares? Matthew Knies? Connor McDavid is a free agent in 2026, is it worth keeping Marner with his future in Edmonton not certain?

As much as Marner deserves to run an offense, this is always going to be Auston Matthews' team.

With that being said, Toronto also has a lot of money committed to some aging veterans, and is Marner going to keep his production levels up going into his age-33+ season? Not everyone is Sidney Crosby.

Toronto should focus on re-signing Tavares to a discounted deal, lock up Knies long-term, and target some real game changers in free agency like Sam Bennett or Nikolaj Ehlers; cheaper options than Marner and can give the team a fresh look.

The team needs center help, secondary scoring, and a young defenseman to take over Morgan Rielly's spot in the near future; money that Marner's contract takes up.

Plus the biggest concern: What about the playoffs? Is he finally going to get over his inability to produce when it counts, or will another first round exit leave the writing on the wall?

50 points in 57 playoff games isn't terrible, but in the clutch? He hasn't shown that gamebreaking ability to shift the tide, or score when it matters (for the Leafs anyhow).

Is it time to end the Mitch Marner experience in Toronto? Well, many would say no and rightly so. Marner has been everything the team has wanted and then some.

But it hasn't brought success in nine years and with too many outside circumstances keeping this a done deal, it's time to go a different route.

Though it's just my opinion, and it remains to be seen if Marner stays or goes. Even though I think he should, there's only one person who truly knows that final destination and it's #16 himself.