Testing Free Agency is a Smart Business Move by Mitch Marner

Recently, word came out that Mitch Marner plans to play out the final season of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It was the latest chapter of the Toronto Maple Leafs most prominent storyline from their current offseason. Like any good story, it will evolve and take many more twists and turns before its denouement.

The report confirms speculation that Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, wants to see his client hit free agency. It's a smart business move since Marner has much to gain with little risk.

Thanks to a no-movement clause from his last deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner has all the leverage. Let's break down the different scenarios that can play out over the next year.

Marner Has Become the Scapegoat For What Ails the Leafs

First, a little history that brought the team and Marner to this point.

After another playoff disappointment, Marner became the poster boy for all that was wrong with the Leafs. Both Auston Matthews and William Nylander had shining moments during the Maple Leafs first-round loss against the Boston Bruins.


Matthews was dominant in a Game 2 Leafs victory that leveled the series and Nylander scored both goals in a Game 6 victory that forced a Game 7.

Matthews missed games against Boston because of injury and sickness while Nylander missed the start of the series, suffering through migraines. That, combined with the long-term extensions that each signed during the year, minimized their responsibility, in the eyes of many, for another Leafs postseason failure.

Marner played the entire series versus Boston but failed to make an impact on the scoresheet. He's paid to produce offensively, but he was asked to play a defensive role against the Bruins. He was also coming off a late-season suspected high-ankle sprain.

Despite that, blame was pointed in the direction of Marner. Before and after the firing of coach Sheldon Keefe, attention has been placed on the Leafs star winger as the piece that must move to significantly change the core of the Maple Leafs roster.

His contract is up a year from now. Marner has publicly stated he wants to remain in Toronto and now comes the news that he wants to play out the remaining year of his deal and hit free agency.

It's a savvy move, with most of the possible scenarios benefitting Marner in the end.