Toronto Maple Leafs Issue Final Ultimatum to Mitch Marner on His Next Contract, per Pierre LeBrun
It's impressive how quiet the Mitch Marner contract talks have been this season, but for the Maple Leafs, it seems they are giving him very little choice.
This summer a lot of speculation was surrounding Mitch Marner's next contract. Despite inklings here and there, the team and Marner's camp have been impressively quiet regarding an extension, with news coming out about a potential holdup due to Auston Matthews.
But the season drags on, over halfway at this point for the Leafs, and the team has to decide what to do with their superstar winger. No doubt he will command a huge salary and there are several teams who would love to build their future around Marner in his prime.
NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun however believes that Toronto is not paying Marner any favors and their insistence on catering to their captain could be the biggest downfall.
Pierre LeBrun Believes Toronto Will Not Pay For Marner
Speaking on TSN's OverDrive, LeBrun mentioned that Marner's camp is not impressed with Toronto's need to pay Auston Matthews the most money on the team regardless of who is producing:
From an agent perspective, the salary cap is going up aggressively and depending on what happens it could be more. It's not the AAV that matters it's the percentage of the cap; and if the cap is going up it's a real stumbling block.
Is there a way to massage an AAV with a deferment on a Marner extension? Potentially, but that doesn't appeal to 90% of agents; and since the Frank Vatrano extension they are against the idea.
It comes down to this. I don't think the Leafs feel they can or will pay more than $13M, $12.5M? Is that enough for an 8-year deal? If that's where it is, that's the I think that's the clear line of demarcation, $13 million a year."
LeBrun previously reported back in November that Marner and the Leafs are apart on a deal because of Toronto wanting to keep Auston Matthews their highest paid player.
It's a bit perplexing why Toronto wouldn't want to push to sign Marner, given not only has he played arguably the best he ever has since being drafted, but he has definitively been their top player this season.
With 14 goals and 45 assists in 43 games, he's on pace to have over 100 points, and currently sits second in the NHL in assists and fourth in points. He is also one of Toronto's best defensive forwards and has improved dramatically under Craig Berube.
The one main factor fans may point to is his playoff production and he hasn't in the ones that mattered, no; but to say he hasn't showed up at all is a bit egregious.
He has 50 points in 57 games, and has produced consistently. When Toronto made it to the second round in 2022, Marner had 14 points, 18 hits, 10 blocks and averaged 24:08 of ice time. He is more than capable of performing, and it's unfair to single him out.
With a new revamped defense, reliable goaltending, and Toronto finally getting their pieces back (albeit slowly), this could be the year they make it to the Finals; and if they do it could be in their best interest to give their MVP a blank check.
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