Insider Darren Dreger Reveals Why the Leafs Must Lock Up Mitch Marner Before the Playoffs

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Chris Gerics
November 25, 2024 (11:38)

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TSN Insider Darren Dreger revealed the main reason why Toronto needs to re-sign Mitch Marner and it's a bit controversial.

In the final year of his contract, Mitch Marner is playing out of his mind recently, scoring 14 points over the last 8 games and showing a deadlier side of his game that we don't see all too often.

He's shooting more, he's scoring more, and he's proving why he's going to have a lot of suitors come July 1.

But NHL insider Darren Dreger thinks that Toronto needs to lock up Marner before then, and if not then it could lead to a distraction come playoffs:

"Look there's no question the ability of Mitch Marner or the contribution to Mitch Marner to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a whole," said Dreger.

"I think it's a priority for both the player and the organization. This cannot be a distraction going into the playoffs and it will be if they don't get the extension done."

It was a fairly controversial take considering he was the only one on the panel to side with re-signing Marner, with some fans taking umbrage with Dreger's comments.

But should Toronto re-sign Marner?

The Case To Re-Sign Mitch Marner

It's obvious that yes, Toronto would love to sign Mitch Marner to a long-term deal.

He's been spectacular, prove that he can lead an offense on his own, and plays much better defense than people give credit for. So far in his NHL career, Mitch Marner has:

- 597 Career NHL Games

- 202 Goals

- 465 Assists

- 3 All-Star Selections

If anything, the evidence is there. Mitch Marner has performed day in and day out, and for all of the Maple Leafs injury woes, he tends to stay healthy and avoid injury.

He's been a huge part of the Core Four, and has proven that he can lead an offense on his own and probably deserves his own line to do damage with.

His impact on the ice should not be overlooked, and he is as elite as names like Nathan MacKinnon and Aleksander Barkov.

Mitch Marner has proven he can do everything on the ice: Scoring, playmaking, defense, energy, excitement.

He's done everything that the Maple Leafs and fans have asked of him, and he's done it with that boyish smile.

Well everything except...

The Case To Let Mitch Marner Walk

Win.

He's won one playoff series since being drafted and has been completely invisible when it matters most. Some stats regarding Marner's playoff performance:

- One series win in 8 seasons

- 50 points

- Only 2 points and a combined minus-5 in Game 7s

- Zero Stanley Cups

He's been invisible when it counts, and it might be hard to justify a huge contract, as analyst Jeff O'Neill relates:

"I just don't know why, as good as Mitch Marner is as a player and as good as he's played of late, I don't know why you would want to lock up guys long term when you haven't seen playoff success," said O'Neill.

"There's been a phrase tossed around this organization 'If you have time on your side use it' so why not use it in this particular situation."

Toronto certainly has time, and this season affords them the most they might have ever had, and a new defense, and better goaltending has give Toronto new life this season.

But he's also going to cost you a lot, and I mean a lot of money.

He'll have no shortage of suitors, and teams like Chicago or San Jose could throw boatloads of cash at Marner to lead their offense.

If Toronto decides they can win without Marner, then letting him walk and bringing in someone else wouldn't be a death sentence. There are plenty of free agents, and Toronto might be privy to go after a center or two first before worrying about Marner.

FAQ: Toronto Needs To Re-sign Mitch Marner per Insider

Q1: What Insider thinks Toronto needs to re-sign Mitch Marner?

A1: Darren Dreger, prominent NHL analyst thinks that Toronto needs to re-sign Marner due to the fact that his contract talks could cause Toronto a distraction in the playoffs, and they would be better off getting it done now.

Q2: Does Toronto want to keep Mitch Marner?

A2: Of course they would like to, as Marner has been a superstar since being drafted. He has been one of the league's top point scorers over the last three seasons and has shown he can lead the team without Auston Matthews. The only problem with re-signing Marner is how expensive he is expected to be.

In closing, Darren Dreger thinks Toronto needs to re-sign Mitch Marner now as to not distract them later on, but the more the issue keeps being brought up, the more distractions it will cause.

Toronto would love to re-sign him, but he might cost too much. It's not a knock on Marner, he's just been that good.