Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs reportedly on the same page
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
TSN's Darren Dreger has revealed the latest on the Mitch Marner situation, confirming what the priorities are for each side and it's looking more and more like both sides are on the same page.
Marner has taken a lot of heat this summer for another lackluster playoff performance, but with a new season on the horizon under a new head coach in Craig Berube, there is hope that this Maple Leafs team can make some real noise in 2024-25.
While reports on whether or not Marner will stay or go have flip-flopped all summer, it would appear as though he will be back in Toronto this season, and as Darren Dreger pointed out this morning during his appearance on TSN 1050's First Up, he and the Leafs are on the same wavelength.
"I think they're in a good place, but I don't want to misconstrue that with the belief that an extension is looming, that it's going to happen quickly. Obviously, it's going to be a top-of-mind big story from the beginning of training camp and probably until the day that an extension is committed and announced. But I don't have the sense that that's going to happen anytime soon, and I think both sides are okay with that.
Marner knows that this is yet another big year for this young leadership group and he's a huge part of that, so he's focused on a good start for himself, for his team, I know that he's been training with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon and a group in Vail, Colorado under the leadership of Andy O'Brien, so he's put in his time this summer. He's ready to get going and prove that this year's team potentially is going to be the best in a long, long time.
There's a lot of pressure on those guys, but I don't get the sense that there's contract pressure on Marner. He's happy for it to be quiet. There's good dialogue between Darren Ferris and Brad Treliving, they've got a good relationship, but they're not in heavy negotiations and, again, both sides are okay with that... there doesn't appear to be a rush at this stage."
Marner knows that this is yet another big year for this young leadership group and he's a huge part of that, so he's focused on a good start for himself, for his team, I know that he's been training with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon and a group in Vail, Colorado under the leadership of Andy O'Brien, so he's put in his time this summer. He's ready to get going and prove that this year's team potentially is going to be the best in a long, long time.
There's a lot of pressure on those guys, but I don't get the sense that there's contract pressure on Marner. He's happy for it to be quiet. There's good dialogue between Darren Ferris and Brad Treliving, they've got a good relationship, but they're not in heavy negotiations and, again, both sides are okay with that... there doesn't appear to be a rush at this stage."
The Leafs are taking a big risk by allowing Marner to head into his final year without a contract extension in place, but Dreger alluded to a long-term extension being Marner's ultimate goal. He also revealed that the Leafs are amenable to that. Of course, as we all know, his playoff performance could be the key to whether or not he gets a lengthy new deal.
"A long-term extension is a possibility and I believe that's what Marner wants. I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are keenly interested in that, provided it makes long-term sense."
While it seems like status quo here on the surface, it's good to know where both sides actually stand and that there is a path to a potential resolution here.
Source: NHL.com
Mitch Marner player profile
Mitch Marner player profile
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 9 | 214 ANSWERS Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs reportedly on the same page Would you be surprised if Mitch Marner signs an extension before the conclusion of the Maple Leafs' next playoff run? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 46.7 % |
| No | 114 | 53.3 % |
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