The Toronto Maple Leafs are fresh out of excuses to sign Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies to long-term extensions. Both players have proven their value. Marner, in particular, has become the de facto leader in Auston Matthews’ absence. Marner’s overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night was proof that Marner is the real deal.
The same goes for Knies. Knies has emerged as the power forward the Toronto Maple Leafs have lacked since the days of Dave Andreychuk or Gary Roberts. Knies was projected to have a breakout year. Thus far, he has not failed to deliver.
But there’s one other powerful reason why the Leafs have no excuses to pay Marner and Knies. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the NHL’s salary cap is expected to jump next season. The cap currently sits at $88 million. Next year’s jump could take the cap to a range between $95 and $97 million.
Interesting: @FriedgeHNIC reporting on the broadcast tonight that next year's salary cap could actually be pushed well over the 5% growth limit up to as much as $95M to $97M.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) November 17, 2024
Right now per the CBA, it's set to go to $92.4 million, but with revenues so high, it makes sense to…
That’s a $7 to $9 million jump. Plenty of cap space to fit both Marner and Knies’ raises. Plus, if John Tavares signs at a somewhat discounted rate, the Leafs could have plenty of cap space to sign a top-tier goaltender or sign free agents.
In short, the bump in the salary cap could not have come at a better time for the Leafs. But they must act now before it’s too late.
Toronto Maple Leafs should just pay Marner and Knies
One of the rumoured sticking points during summer negotiations was that the Leafs did not want to meet Marner’s asking price. According to rumours, Marner wants to get paid somewhere in the neighborhood of what Auston Matthews makes.
That would mean paying Marner around $13 million. With the cap increasing, the Leafs should just drop the bull and pay Marner. He’s clearly proven he’s worth it. He’s carried the Leafs during Matthews’ absence.
In fact, had the Leafs not ceded the captaincy to Matthews, I would say Marner has earned it over the last three weeks.
Anyhow, the Leafs need to cut through the red tape and pay Knies. The Leafs could look at paying Knies somewhere between $5 and $6 million per season. With the cap increasing even further in the next five years, the increases could easily dilute Matthews, Marner, and Knies’ contracts, making them look like bargains.
There’s one other powerful reason why the Leafs must pay Marner now. Connor McDavid’s potential contract extension will set the market for stars. McDavid could become the NHL’s first $15 million player. Given what the Oilers shelled out for Leon Draisaitl, $15 million looks like a given.
If McDavid happens to sign before Marner, the Leafs may be in tough. Marner may dig his heels in and demand even more.
The time has come for the Leafs to put their money where their mouths are. Pay Marner and get on with the business of building a true Cup contender.