The Toronto Maple Leafs could miss out on re-signing Mitch Marner if he hits free agency this summer. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, the team looking to go all-out to sign Marner is the Carolina Hurricanes.
During an appearance on TSN’s That’s Hockey, LeBrun discussed how free agency could shape up this summer, specifically naming Mitch Marner as a person of interest for the Hurricanes.
LeBrun’s argument, and justifiably so, is based on the Hurricanes having a ton of cap space, nearly $40 million, heading into this offseason. As a result, the Canes would have plenty of room to add a superstar player like Mitch Marner. Moreover, last week’s news that the Hurricanes were actively pursuing Marner at the trade deadline further fuels speculation that the Hurricanes could be the biggest players in the Marner sweepstakes.
While LeBrun’s one of the best in the business, this rumour must be taken with a grain of salt. Yes, the Hurricanes were actively trying to get a superstar-calibre player. That’s why they traded for Mikko Rantanen. But they couldn’t re-sign him as they didn’t meet Rantanen’s contract demands. Lebrun reported in The Athletic that the Hurricanes’ starting point was $12.5 million AAV. That didn’t work for Rantanen and it’s not going to work for Marner.
Marner is looking for Leon Draisaitl-type money. If he gets it from Carolina or whoever, then talks may move forward. Otherwise, the Hurricanes will have to get in line to have a shot at Marner.
Mitch Marner will likely stay with the Leafs
Now, there is something I want to get out of the way. Mitch Marner is not a money-grubbing player. If all he was interested in was money, he would have okayed the deal to Carolina on the condition that the Hurricanes upped the ante on a contract extension.
In my estimation, the Hurricanes would have been willing to pay the piper if that meant getting Marner signed long-term. However, Marner axed the deal and remained in Toronto.
Whether that move was done out of good faith or pragmatism, remains to be seen. The worst thing that Marner could have done for his career at this point was agree to a move to Carolina. Doing so would have zapped his leverage much like it did to Rantanen.
Marner’s camp likely told him to stay put, have a solid playoff run, and then worry about a contract extension in the summer. That’s exactly what Marner said following the trade deadline. He’s not worried about contracts now. He’s focused on winning on the ice.
That was the right thing to say at this point. Whether or not he leaves Toronto in the offseason is a bridge the Leafs and Marner will cross when they get to it.
In the end, I would get on Marner staying in Toronto. The writing is on the wall for John Tavares. So, Marner will get paid to stay in Toronto, especially if the Leafs break through this season and finally make a deep playoff run.