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NHL Rumors: Insider speculates $65,418,000 Mitch Marner’s method of exit detrimental to Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner could walk away from the team in free agency, NHL insider Chris Johnston claims.
Marner is entering the final year of the six-year, $65,408,000 contract he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2019.
On the Steve Dangle Podcast, Johnston referred to the outcome of the winger’s ongoing contract saga.
“It’s probably slightly more likely he walks than signs an extension but not significantly so. If we were setting the betting lines now that favourite would be walks as a free agent.”
If Marner makes it to next summer as a Leaf and without a contract, he could walk away as a free agent, leaving the Leafs with nothing in return for one of the league's most talented players.
That possibility is certainly in the back of the Leafs’ management's minds. However, it’s a risk at this point, considering that there is no word on both sides agreeing to a potential contract extension. As such, Mitch Marner seems more like a rental player on an expiring deal than one of the Leafs’ core players.
In the meantime, Marner hopes to have a great year. An outstanding season with high point totals would allow the talented winger to command a high-paying deal anywhere he chooses. As for the Leafs, Marner’s success could price him out of Toronto altogether.
Leafs could approach Mitch Marner the same way they did Nylander
Last season, the Leafs headed into training camp with a huge question mark hanging over the club. The question specifically pertained to William Nylander’s pending free agency. Nylander was entering the final year of his deal with no clear path toward an extension.
Speculation swirled around the club, particularly focusing on trade scenarios. Then, in early January, the Maple Leafs announced they had signed Nylander to an eight-year contract.
When looking at the current situation involving Mitch Marner it mirrors much of the Nylander saga. As such, the Leafs and Marner could manage to work something out in-season.
This point is crucial for a key reason: By January, the Leafs should have a good look at where they stand. Most importantly, the club should know who they could be playing in the postseason and how reasonable their chances are at success.
If the Leafs find themselves cruising to a playoff spot, they’ll want to hold on to Marner. However, if the Leafs somehow find themselves struggling to make the playoffs or even out of a playoff spot, it would make sense to trade Marner at that point.
There’s one other thing to consider: Marner is betting on himself. By foregoing to sign now or agreeing to a trade, Marner is betting that he’ll have a great year. But if, for any reason, Marner has a down year, it would hurt his stock.
Ultimately, it could be that both sides shake hands on a deal when everyone least expects it.
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