NHL Insider Gives Update on Mitch Marner-Leafs Contract Discussions
By Adam Godfrey
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a solid group of offensive talent on their roster, with most of them not even being in their prime yet.
Among those players is Mitch Marner, who led the Maple Leafs in points last season. Marner's contract expires this season, and he will give Toronto an expensive price tag to re-sign him.
TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger gives an update on where negotiations stand along with the Leafs cap issues.
Dreger says on TSN1050 that he expects Marner's camp to take negotiations beyond July 1st.
— James (@Account4hockey) May 28, 2019
He says he expects the Marner to visit teams starting June 26 in the RFA offersheet interview period.
Dreger says the Leafs will have to make an aggressive offer: 10+,10.5+,11+
The expectation is that Marner's contract negotiations will fall over into NHL Free Agency this summer with the Leafs being handcuffed with salary cap near the max of what they can spend.
Dreger also adds that Marner will likely begin visiting other teams when his contract officially expires with Toronto on June 26. Since he will be a restricted free agent, if another team signs him they will need to send compensatory draft picks to the Maple Leafs, which also gives Toronto a chance to match the contract offered to Marner.
Dreger on Mitch Marner and the Leafs cap situation
— TSN 1050 Toronto (@TSN1050Radio) May 28, 2019
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The full breakdown can be found in the link from TSN 1050 Toronto.
Marner finished the regular season with 94 points while playing all 82 games, scoring 26 goals and adding 68 assists with a +22 rating. He is set to make at least $10 million annually on his next contract, and with the Maple Leafs already having two players making more than $11 million, it may not be such a surprise to see Marner find a new home this offseason.