The Toronto Maple Leafs have opened training camp today.
But the bigger news, is that there has reportedly been movement on the Mitch Marner /Toronto Maple Leafs contract front.
As you well know, Mitch Marner has been negotiating through the media all summer, and the Leafs felt obliged to leak some info of their own this week.
That info included the news that Marner had rejected a contract similar to what John Tavares signed, and perhaps the negativity surrounding him for that has pushed him into a more reasonable stance.
Of course we won’t know until something actually happens.
Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp
Camp opened today and while there was talk about Babock being on the hot seat, about Nylander being paired with Matthews, and about Cody Ceci inexplicably being in the top four, the Marner news is yet again dominating the day.
With the usual caveat that nothing is done until it's done, it sounds like there's been some progress in contract talks between the #leafs and RFA Mitch Marner.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 13, 2019
This is not just good news, it’s great news.
With Marner missing the opening of training camp, nothing could be better than news that he is close to signing.
Christ Johnston is perhaps the next best thing to Bob McKenzie, and so this is very intriguing news.
What does it mean?
Who knows, but at this point, I’ll take it.
Marner may have come off looking really bad recently, but the fact is, he hasn’t missed any games and it’s hard to begrudge a guy for trying to get the best deal he can.
If the Toronto Maple Leaf can get this done sooner than later, then the entire focus of camp will change.
The Leafs are about to embark on a season in which they are Stanley Cup favorites and (with Marner) have the best roster in the NHL.
The stories today should be full of optimism, rainbows and dreams.
There are only a few weeks left until the games count for real (and exhibition games start next week) so getting Marner signed now would be the best thing that could happen.
All along I’ve been optimistic (perhaps too much so, it seems) but I really don’t believe he’ll miss any games. This season is just too important.
The Leafs will never have a better chance to win it all than this year, so they are going to have to figure something out quickly, because letting him sit or trading him are not even real options.
But if today’s rumour is any indication, things might be looking up very soon for the Toronto Maple Leafs.