The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a crossroads with their star Mitch Marner, who is set to enter free agency on July 1 without having reached a new deal with the Canadian franchise for the next NHL season. While it’s public knowledge that negotiations haven’t progressed, what’s unknown is even more surprising.
Marner’s potential suitors are beginning to emerge, while the 28-year-old forward appears ready to make his decision once he hits the open market. Several factors are expected to influence his choice, including his previously reported desire to avoid signing with another Canadian franchise in order to pursue a change of scenery.
The key piece of information in this situation is that Marner is reportedly asking for an annual salary between $13 million and $14 million, a figure that the Maple Leafs are believed to have walked away from in favor of focusing on their rebuild. A recent report appears to confirm that stance.
The broken relationship between the Maple Leafs and Marner
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Marner’s camp “hasn’t really engaged in any substantive conversations” with the Maple Leafs over the past year. In that context, it’s understandable why a contract renewal between the two sides has seemed highly unlikely.
Marner’s future is almost certainly away from Toronto
A lot has happened since Marner signed his current contract in 2019. Now, teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks have shown strong interest in acquiring him.
Friedman also mentioned that Toronto could still reach out to Marner in July, but for now, “everyone knows what’s going to happen.” His seemingly irreversible departure now collides with the uncertainty of testing the market. Anything can still happen for Marner.