Update on Negotiations Between the Leafs and Mitch Marner May Not Sit Well With Fans
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
During Sunday's broadcast of the Leafs and Blackhawks, TSN's Bob MacKenzie provided a troubling update on negotiations between Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs.
A pending unrestricted free agent, Mitch Marner and his camp have done their best to keep any negotiations away from the public eye. In December, however, Marner reportedly rejected a very lucrative extension from the Leafs.
Since that point in time, there have been little to no updates on extension talks between the two sides, until yesterday's broadcast on TSN.
One of the questions asked during their 'Quiz' segment was if the Leafs should sign the former first-round pick to an extension before the playoffs. The majority voted that they shouldn't, including Bob MacKenzie, who provided some additional thoughts on the matter.
In his answer, MacKenzie said that it is more likely that Marner goes to free agency than signs an extension with the Leafs before July 1st. That doesn't mean that he won't re-sign, but it certainly casts a bit of doubt on the Leafs' ability to retain him.
"Players like Marner are difficult to come by and if you don't do well in the playoffs, you've got to keep working at it... I don't think it'll happen, I think he is much more likely to go to free agency and I think the Leafs understand that, but, do I think they'll try? Absolutely."
The silver lining could be that the Leafs will have the cap space to lure another right-winger in Mikko Rantanen to Toronto, should he not re-sign with the Carolina Hurricanes or wherever they may trade him before the deadline.
As the deadline quickly approaches, all eyes will be on Brad Treliving as fans hope he takes a big swing before 3PM on March 7th to give the Leafs the opportunity to go on a deep playoff run in a season where the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference are wide open.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
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