Toronto Maple Leafs: Huberdeau Deal Makes Mitch Marner Look Cheap

The Toronto Maple Leafs management must be smiling about the 8-year deal that Jonathan Huberdeau just inked with the Calgary Flames, following his blockbuster trade from Florida.

Firstly, the deal means that the Toronto Maple Leafs are all but assured to be seeing far less of Huberdeau, not least because he’s no longer in the Atlantic Division.

Secondly though, it makes the 6-year deal that Mitch Marner signed back at the beginning of the 2019-20 season look considerably cheaper by comparison.

Beyond this season, which is the final year of his previous $5.9 million deal and potentially an absolute steal (for one year), Huberdeau becomes much more of a salary cap burden.

Toronto Maple Leafs Marner Deal Now Team Friendly

Following this season, Jonathan Huberdeau will be costing Calgary $10.5 million against the salary cap for eight years (per CapFriendly), taking him to his 38th birthday – a very steep price to pay.

Contrast that with the six-year term paying $10.903 million per season (per CapFriendly) that the Toronto Maple Leafs inked Mitch Marner to, which expires with him at 28 years old.

Safe to say, the Mitch Marner contract looks much more sustainable for his team and all round a better deal. In fact, even if the Toronto Maple Leafs were to ink an eight-year extension with him, he’ll still only be 36 when his contract expires.

When you look at the pair statistics-wise; Huberdeau may have had more points last campaign but doesn’t really have the same pedigree as Marner, who is the NHL’s best winger.

Last season, Huberdeau tallied 115 points (30 goals and 85 assists) for the Florida Panthers in 80 games,  while providing negative value on defense. Mitch Marner had 97 points (35 goals and 62 assists) in 72 games, while posting elite defensive numbers.

Both players have two seasons with over 90 points and both have multiple campaigns averaging more than a point-per-game.

Indeed, both played close to equal amounts of time on the penalty kill for their respective teams last season and weren’t particularly boosted by copious powerplay points; Huberdeau had 38, Marner had 25.

So by comparison, it makes sense that Huberdeau was able to command such a fee. However, it fails to factor in that very few players continue to perform to that level well into their 30s.

Mitch Marner suddenly look remarkably cheap for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’re paying him the same amount in what should be the prime of his career as Calgary will be paying Huberdeau as he likely plays his twilight NHL years.

Such is the market that these teams are dealing in right now, the Flames had to make this move. Otherwise, with Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk leaving, their fan base would’ve been baying for blood.

Regardless of what Huberdeau is getting paid, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be very happy with the deal they signed Mitch Marner to – they locked up a top player for most of his prime and that player turned into a top 3-5 player in the NHL who is now worth at least 50% more than what he’s making.