Forward Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs is more likely to walk in free agency than to sign an extension, according to NHL source Chris Johnston.
Marner has been the focus of trade rumors as he approaches the last year of the $65.4 million contract. But because no deal has taken place, it is increasingly probable that Marner will join the Maple Leafs for the start of the season.
Johnston thinks Marner is more likely to go into free agency and hit the open market than to sign an extension with Toronto.
“He probably walks a little bit more frequently than he signs an extension, but not by much. The favorite to walk as a free agent would be (he) walks if the betting lines were to be set right now. Then, I would advise re-signing the next favorite and trading the other three,” Johnston stated on the July 8 episode of the SDPN podcast.
Johnston believes that both parties could agree that it is in their best interests to split ways when asked if Marner would make that decision.
“I don’t think they’ll give him the choice to stay either. Johnston continued, “It’s a two-way street.
The Maple Leafs would have made a grave mistake in the front office if Marner were to enter free agency and the team received nothing. One of the best players in the NHL, Marner’s departure in free agency without any compensation would come as a bit of a surprise because Toronto may try to trade him and recover some assets this offseason.
Marner has declared his desire to remain in Toronto.
Johnston stated that Marner wanted to stay a Maple Leaf, even though it is increasingly likely that he will enter free agency without signing an extension after Toronto was eliminated from the playoffs.
That would be the objective. I have said how much I adore this city and this place. I have, of course, grown up here. We’ll start considering that right now and working to find a solution. It’s everything to me,” Marner said on May 6 to the press.
To be honest, you truly enjoy that we are treated like type of gods here. There is nothing like the love and attention you receive from this fan community. As evidenced by the Toronto Raptors of the NBA a few years ago, fans still harbor strong feelings for certain players who were traded this year but who were instrumental in the team’s 2019 championship run. You want that kind of love, Marner continued.
Marner was selected fourth overall in the 2015 NHL draft by his local team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he currently plays for them.
Coach of the Maple Leafs is excited to work with Marner
Sheldon Keefe was fired by Toronto, and Craig Berube was appointed head coach.
Berube, who won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, expressed his excitement about coaching a player with Marner’s caliber.
Following the NHL draft on June 29, Berube stated, “He’s a great player, a great guy, and obviously a character guy.” It will be exciting to coach him.
Marner just had a season in which he played in 69 regular season games and finished with 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points. He scored one goal and provided two assists for a total of three points in seven postseason games.
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