The Legendary Don Cherry Chimes in on Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner Discourse

Even with the salary cap rising to new heights over the next 3 seasons, there is a lot of hesitancy towards offering Mitch Marner a lucrative extension due to his high asking price and perceived market value.

With Auston Matthews and William Nylander already locked up on high-ticket deals, Marner has been under the microscope all season long but he has delivered to the tune of 71 points, which is good for 4th in the NHL.

Unfortunately the lack of success during the post-season continues to follow the upcoming UFA forward and with the Toronto Maple Leafs expecting to make a push again this season, they're going to need Marner to step up.

The biggest question mark heading into the trade deadline, the post-season, and ultimately the off-season, is whether or not the Maple Leafs should entertain the idea of another double-digit AAV long-term extension.

Former legendary icon from Hockey Night in Canada, Don Cherry, chimed in on his "The Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast" and let us know where he stood on the whole situation:

It might have to do with precedence as much as it has to do with anything else but it almost seems like an impossibility for any team to contend with 3 players counting against the cap at an AAV of over $11.5 million.

The increasing salary cap does make it a lot more palatable and the going rate for superstars will continue to rise, so even if the Maple Leafs are looking for his replacement, it's going to cost just as much or maybe more.

Marner has been incredible during the regular season, compiling 352 points in his last 275 games across the past 4 seasons. He went radio silent during the 2024 playoffs after tallying 14 points in 11 postseason contests the year before.

In other words, Marner is one strong post-season performance away from forcing the Maple Leafs' hand into offering him what he wants. Otherwise, someone on the open market will be more than willing to pay up considering his talent.