NHL: Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — NHL analyst deems Mitch Marner "irreplaceable" for Maple Leafs (Source: Imagn)

"Mitch Marner is irreplaceable": NHL analyst makes his opinion on if Maple Leafs should extend $65,408,000 star extremely clear

Modified Dec 07, 2024 17:18 GMT

Mitch Marner's expiring Toronto Maple Leafs contract has been the talk of the town since the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. The 27-year-old forward has had an electric start to the season, being the seventh-highest scorer in the league, accruing 36 points in 26 games.

Marner's six-year, $65,408,000 contract signed in 2018 expires after the end of this season. The Maple Leafs are yet to offer him a contract extension. The Leafs previously signed Auston Matthews to a four-year, $53 million in August 2023 and William Nylander to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension in January 2024.

NHL analyst Craig Button appeared on TSN's "That's Hockey" segment on Friday to share his opinion on whether the Leafs should sign Marner to an extension.

"Mitch Marner is irreplaceable," he said. "You're just simply not going to replace what he brings to your team."

Button made Marner's case by highlighting his accolades since being drafted by the Leafs in 2015. Marner is seventh in the Maple Leafs' all-time scoring list, Top 10 in overall points and point-per-game amongst all NHLers (since 2016). He has been a Selke Trophy finalist and an All-Star.

"You have to make sure you don't let this player slip because he is so important for the Leafs' goal of competing for a Stanley Cup," Button added.

With Marner's next contract extension's AAV being a huge part of the debate, Button said:

"It begins with a 12. His comparables are Panarin ($11.6M), Pastrnak ($11.25M), and Nylander ($11.5M), and he's better than all three of them."

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Craig Button defends Mitch Marner from 'failure to perform in playoffs' criticism

The Toronto Maple Leafs have only won one playoff series since Mitch Marner made his debut in 2016. Despite his presence along with other superstars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander, the Leafs made it past the first round only once in 2022-23.

In 57 playoff games, Marner has accrued 50 points, and during the 2023-24 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had three points in seven games. Thus, he has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism.

Craig Button matched Marner's case to that of Steve Yzerman with the Detroit Red Wings, or Alex Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals, or the 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning who got swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"What we found is those teams weren't built to win," Button said. "But when the manager went to work, that team got stronger, it got better, and they won."

Button credited Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving for good offseason additions in Chris Tanev, Anthony Stolarz, and William Ekman-Larsson. These acquisitions have played a major role in taking the Leafs (16-8-2) to the No. 1 spot in the Atlantic Division currently.

"It's not about one player; it's not about three players. And as the team gets stronger around him, your chances of winning with Mitch Marner are way better than without him," Button added.

Mitch Marner is the Toronto Maple Leafs' leading scorer this season, with 36 points in 26 games. Next on the list are William Nylander (27 points in 26 games) and John Tavares (23 points in 25 games).