The Toronto Maple Leafs have made an effort to sign Mitch Marner to a long-term extension.
Unfortunately, the two sides have yet to come to an agreement, and as a result, he looks likely to hit free agency without a deal done in Toronto.
It’ll be interesting to see what plays out over the next few months, but according to a recent report, the Maple Leafs are expected to heavily try to sign him again before the July 1 deadline.
“On pace for the first 100-point season of his NHL career, Marner represents the kind of blue-chip player that rarely hits the open market in his prime. Adding him would be viewed as a franchise-altering move in several markets across the league because of a unique skill set that not only makes Marner one of the NHL’s most offensively gifted performers but also one of its more trusted forwards on the defensive side of the puck.
“The former Selke Trophy finalist has been a top penalty-killing option for years and routinely uses his elite instincts to pressure opponents into turnovers when defending at five-on-five. It’s little wonder why the Maple Leafs made serious attempts to sign Marner to an extension earlier this season and will almost certainly try again before July 1,” Chris Johnston of The Athletic wrote.
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Doing so before July 1 would give the Maple Leafs a better outlook on what they can do in free agency, too.
If Marner were to sign a long-term extension, their biggest question of the offseason would be answered.
Of course, there are a few other needs the Maple Leafs have to consider, but keeping the 27-year-old in town has to be the top priority.
He currently has 99 points and will be a force in the postseason for a team looking to win the Stanley Cup.
