The NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone and while the focus should shift to the playoffs, everyone appears to be fixated on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner and the news that was dropped on Saturday Headlines by Elliotte Friedman.
To summarize, the Carolina Hurricanes reportedly approached the Maple Leafs in a potential major swap that would send Mikko Rantanen to the Maple Leafs and Marner to the Hurricanes. With Marner having a no-movement clause, the team approached and inquired if he would be willing to waive it, even though they still want to sign him. Marner declined and expressed his desire to stay with the team. Rantanen eventually was dealt to the Dallas Stars and signed an eight-year deal with an AAV of $12 million.
Despite being in the history books, Marner continues to get critical treatment from the outside during this contract negotiation. He chose to not waive his no-move clause which is his right. However, the Maple Leafs are in a precarious situation with a star player just like the Toronto Blue Jays are with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he intends to try the open market after a failed negotiation and extension. There are some similarities between the two.
Marner’s Situation Similar to Vladdy
Before spring training started, the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. couldn’t come to an agreement on an extension to keep the star slugger and top player with the team. The report is that there was a deal in place and would’ve been the richest contract in franchise history. However, it concluded with nothing being put to paper.
There seems to be a disconnect on both sides as both management and player are saying two different things in regards to if they were close and what the figures were. However, it left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth that a failed management couldn’t manage to get their star player under contract as there’s doubt and uncertainty. Guerrero Jr. said he hasn’t closed the door on the team, but there’s a lot riding on this season for the Blue Jays. After multiple failed seasons, poor decisions from management, this one could impact everything for both sides.
With Marner, there’s also a lot riding in his contract year. Especially when the playoffs come around where he hasn’t had many game-breaking moments. That’s the one time of year where the Maple Leafs stars, have failed to elevate their play and take a giant step forward with all the playoff failures they had. He continues to have the regular season success as he’s fifth in league scoring with 80 points (on-pace for 103 points) and continues to be one of the best two-way, playmaking wingers in the game. If he wants to stay here and he wants to win, he has to show it. The fact that they had this in place, there is a fear that they could lose him on the open market if a deal isn’t reached.
With all the news that transpired, general manager Brad Treliving has even come out and downplayed everything, showing his desire to keep Marner for the foreseeable future. It’s great that both sides express that mutual feeling. Though, the negotiation process continues to hit a lot of bumps in the road . Fans remember Marner’s first contract negotiation that didn’t sit well with many where his demand was viewed as unreasonable.
Related: Hurricanes Asked for Maple Leafs’ Marner in Potential Rantanen Deal, Insider Reports
Both sides aren’t talking during the regular season in terms of coming to an extension. That’s reasonable as both sides want to see what he can do when it comes to the playoffs.
Marner Does Have Leverage
Now, nothing is set in stone, but I’m optimistic that both Marner and the Maple Leafs do come to an agreement. Toronto is his home; he has stated many times about his desire to stay with the team he grew up cheering for. He wants to win with this team and he made it a point to say it after their 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
It would be a dream for Marner and everyone else to finally breakthrough in the playoffs and bring a Stanley Cup home. Regardless of your feelings for him, losing him for nothing would be a massive hole to fill. You could argue that he has been the most important player this season. He’s playing around 21-22 minutes per game and can play in all situations. He’s extremely skilled and continues to have a positive impact for his team. It’ll be difficult to find another player like him who can play on both sides of the puck and push 100 points. He has played well and been consistent throughout his career, playoffs aside. However, contract negotiations can be a tricky thing and right now we have to let things play out.
Marner does have more leverage in all of this. Many don’t think he’s worth $12 million, depending on how he does during the postseason, but he has a lot going for him to get Rantanen’s deal. First, the salary cap will continue to go up beyond this season. Second, if you’re Marner you’re going to use this situation to your advantage. Much like Guerrero Jr. wanted to earn star power money, if the team was willing to go after big names like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, they definitely have the money to keep him in the fold. Marner is in a similar spot where if you were going to pay Rantanen $12 million, he’ll ask for that amount, maybe more.
Related: Auston Matthews’ Happy With Maple Leafs’ Deadline Moves
It does feel like unnecessary drama with all this speculation. We should just let it play out. What if Marner does stay and gets around the same deal then all of this would mean nothing. All this is just fuelling the fire between media and fans. The fact that he wants to stay is a great incentive and not wanting to talk about it is just his way of wanting to focus on everything until the very end.
The team and Marner are mired in another contract saga with another story line to add to it. If he stays, the Maple Leafs lock up a key impactful player. If not, then it could create an even more intense narrative if he does leave where the animosity will just continue to grow.
Much like the Gurrero Jr. situation, the longer this situation goes with Marner, the uglier it could get.
