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NHL Rumors: Top insider Darren Dreger believes Maple Leafs keen on extending $65,408,000 winger amid trade speculation
The Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in keeping Mitchell Marner on the team according to the latest rumors. With just one year left on his contract, the Leafs' star has been the subject of trade talks. His six-year, $65.408 million contract is expensive and he'd likely sign for a hefty amount again. Despite the logistical issues, one hockey insider believes the Maple Leafs want to keep him.
Darren Dreger said that he believes Marner's preference would be to play out the remaining year of his contract and hit free agency. He specified that it does not guarantee an exit in 2025, but that it's a risk for the Leafs.
"He'd be a pending unrestricted free agent. That's not the perfect position for the Toronto Maple Leafs," Dreger said (via TSN). "But, you know, Marner negotiated his deal in good faith, including the no-move clause, you know, Toronto find something or decide, and I think Treliving would rather extend than trade. But they're not having those discussions yet. It's still early. It's pretty immature across the board."
GM Brad Treliving, in Dreger's eyes, would rather extend the player than see him traded away, but this is not something the organization has even discussed. As of now, any future plans for Marner are in the earliest stages.
Maple Leafs currently not exploring Mitch Marner trade
Despite all the rumors, there is a belief across media circles that a Mitch Marner trade is very unlikely. Darren Dreger is the latest but not the first to make this sort of claim. A couple of days ago, Chris Johnston had a similar take.
Via his podcast, "The Chris Johnston Show," he said that the Leafs aren't actively shopping him, and haven't decided that he has to be traded because he's too expensive.
"They have not decided... that they're going to make life uncomfortable and they're getting the list of names. None of that's what's going on."
This is a big decision for the Maple Leafs, and Marner would undoubtedly get them a nice return on the trade market. However, by all accounts, that is not the desired outcome in Toronto.
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