Toronto Maple Leafs: Marner Potential Target for Montreal

Mitch Marner, RFA of the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be the Montreal Canadiens’ next target.

The Toronto Maple Leafs still haven’t extended RFA Mitch Marner. While GM Kyle Dubas expressed it to be his top priority for the offseason, negotiations don’t seem to be far. It’s not that Dubas hasn’t been busy. On the contrary, he’s been orchestrating some absolute jaw-dropping blockbuster trades.

Despite the moves, Dubas felt the pressure rising after the Montreal Canadiens offered sheet to Sebastian Aho.

The Hurricanes matched the offer made by Montreal, meaning the focus of the Canadiens could be shifting to other still unsigned RFA, including Marner.

Plausibility of an Offer Sheet

Reportedly, Marner is looking for a top dollar deal comparable to Matthews’ deal, something the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t willing to pay him yet. Rumour has it that the Maple Leafs offered Marner an 8-year deal with an AVV of $10 million dollars.

While it has to be taken with a truckload of salt due to the nature of the source, Brian Burke, if there’s any truth to it, Marner wasn’t interested.

It’s not inconceivable that Aho has broken the deadlock on offer sheets, and specifically, for Mitch Marner. The Canadiens surely proved they are willing to wield an offer sheet, the question remains if Marner is willing to sign one.

I think the answer is yes. For Marner, an offer sheet could very well be his last tool to force Dubas’ hand to get the contract he wants. If the right offer sheet on the term and AVV come along, Marner might take a stand saying “Here, this is what I want. Match it, or you lose me”.

Looming Danger

The absolute scary thought about it; everyone wrongly assumes that it will be an offer sheet north of the $10,568,589, which would result in 4 first round picks, should they decide not to match it.

It probably won’t be.

Allegedly, Marner isn’t interested in an 8-year deal, wanting a higher value for more term. It’s conceivable he would sign an offer sheet for a 5-year deal worth $10 million dollars per year.

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs not match that, the return would be only 2 first round picks, 1 second round pick, and 1 third round pick. (Per NHL). No draft pick is probably worth losing Marner, but 2 first round picks would be an absolute joke.

The worst part about that scenario; it would place Marner’s UFA status in the same year as Matthews and Nylander, yikes!

Resolving the Issue

Despite the rumours of Marner talking to other teams, I think he wants to stay in Toronto. Talking to other teams is just smarts, determining your market value.

While that doesn’t make it unthinkable for Marner to be offered and sign an offer sheet, the solution could be very simple. Pay Marner the same as Matthews in return for the longer term. They have the cap space to do so.