Mitch Marner's Projected Next Contract Revealed, per Insider
With questions surrounding whether or not Mitch Marner is going to stick around with the Maple Leafs, one NHL Insider has a lead on what his future deal will be.
The NHL Trade Deadline was a crazy bit of business for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they scrambled to get some deals done although managed to secure two key pieces they needed in Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo for their 3C and Top 4 D respectively.
Now focus shifts to another crazy situation, that being Mitch Marner's future.
There are a lot of questions surrounding whether or not he's going to stay, and for as much as he says he wants to win here; any observer would tell you that if he does; why hasn't he re-signed?
It could be due to a lot of factors, but with Mikko Rantanen signing for $12M AAV in Dallas (albeit with some tax bonuses involved) leaves Marner looking for something more, and according to NHL Insider David Pagnotta; he's starting big.
Mitch Marner's Next Contract Starts At $13M
Quick math shows that Marner is looking to start with an AAV of $13M to even begin negotiations. It's understandable given he's in his prime, and enjoying the best season of his career, and Toronto's internal cap won't let them go much higher than that.
But what teams can afford to make such a move for Marner?
A lot of weaker teams like Chicago, San Jose, and Utah can take advantage and have a superstar to come in and help the likes of Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Dylan Guenther respectively.
But does Marner want to waste his best years rebuilding? All three teams are far away from competing and Marner alone isn't going to change things.
Calgary and Columbus might have some interest, and Marner could reunite with former teammate Nazem Kadri in Alberta, and maybe create a new one-two punch with Kirill Marchenko.
Who knows? Does Florida let Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad go and then make a strong push for Marner? They have a lot of free agents coming up, and if they think Marner will give them a dynasty for the next few years, who's to say GM Bill Zito won't go for it?
Toronto has been stubborn on not paying anyone more than Auston Matthews' $13.25M regardless of how good they are, and have to get out of their own way when it comes to paying Marner.
He's been your team's best player, carried them through two separate Matthews injuries, and in the prime of his career.
If Brad Treliving is hesitant to pay Marner, it begs the question: Does he even want to win?
