Mitch Marner's future with the Maple Leafs confirmed with latest update

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Julien Trekker
September 18, 2024 (4:07 PM)

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Mitch Marner's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs was confirmed in an update.

The training camp has officially started in Toronto, and some players held their first media availabilities, including Mitch Marner.

Currently entering the final season of his six-year, $10,903,000 AAV contract with the Maple Leafs, Marner's extension has already been debated by every hockey expert, which led to a lot of speculation during the summer.

In order to defuse the situation, before the start of the interview, Marner took the time to tell reporters that he wouldn't discuss anything related to his contract and that he wanted to focus on the next season.

If you missed it, check out the first few seconds of his press conference in the video below:

After his rough playoff run, we can understand why the player didn't look too keen to discuss with reporters. If you remember, Marner was even called the "Invisible Man" in the headline of the Toronto Sun.

Players don't want to be a distraction for their teammates, and Marner's move to say upfront that he wouldn't talk about it shows his great character and leadership.

Mitch Marner's agent Darren Ferris makes a statement suggesting that the negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs have already started.

In an interview on The Athletic, Ferris stated that the discussions must remain confidential in "ongoing negotiations." So we can guess that things could already be in motion from that statement.

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Even if negotiations have started, it doesn't mean that a deal will be reached soon. Especially considering that if Marner has a great season, he could be able to sign for more money (if not in Toronto, elsewhere).

No one knows what Marner's next contract will look like. Will he be interested in getting a short-term deal like Auston Matthews did? Or will he try the William Nylander way and go straight for the eight-year deal? To stay in Toronto probably means he wouldn't get a big raise.

He has repeated time and time again that he likes being a Maple Leaf and wants to stay, but he could still decide to test out free agency next summer if management doesn't offer him what he wants.

Mitch Marner gave a lot to the Maple Leafs. Since he was drafted in 2015, he has played 575 games for Toronto and scored 639 points, including 194 goals. He deserves to get paid, but most importantly, to be treated with respect by fans and media.