With Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner’s future uncertain and his family about to grow, NHL insider Darren Dreger believes the Maple Leafs should take an aggressive approach in contract talks.
Appearing on TSN 1050’s "First Up" on Monday, Dreger suggested that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving should bypass Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, and speak directly to the player to push for a decision.
“Brad Treliving doesn’t have to play by the rules of Darren Ferris,” Dreger said. “He can go directly to Mitch and say, ‘I need an answer. We need to get into negotiations.’ I've been very patient in waiting, and we didn't want to disrupt Marner, we want his focus to be on playing.'
“I don't believe you'll have certainty by the 7th of March [trade deadline day], but the GM can put pressure on the player.”
Marner, 27, is in the final seasons of a six-year, $65.41 million contract and carries a cap hit of $10.9 million this campaign. All indications point to him testing free agency this summer, as reported by NHL insider Bob McKenzie on Sunday.
“I don’t think (re-signing before July 1) will happen, I think he’s much more likely to go to free agency, and I think the Leafs understand that,” McKenzie said.
While Marner has expressed his desire to remain in Toronto, his camp has yet to engage in meaningful extension talks and the player is far from arriving at a final decision.
Dreger also highlighted the risk of waiting too long. He believes that if other top free agents, such as Mikko Rantanen, explore opportunities with Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs, Marner’s door to re-sign with Toronto could close.
“Mikko Rantanen is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and he is interested in playing with Auston Matthews or another top free agent,” Dreger said. “Then the door can all of a sudden close for Mitch Marner as well.“
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