Finally some encouraging news from the Leafs and Marner!

So many rumours, so many reports, finally on Friday we heard from the horse’s mouth. Or one of the horses we should say…

Fans in Toronto have been waiting to see what happened with pending free agent Mitch Marner, especially now that the Maple Leafs managed to sign Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson earlier today. 

Marner, who could become a free agent on Monday, is believed to be looking for a contract like the five-year contract with an average annual value of $11.634 million center Auston Matthews signed with Toronto on Feb. 5. 

After making a statement about his latest signings, GM Kyle Dubas finally delivered some encouraging news about the process and contract talks going on with Marner per team insider Kristen Shilton of TSN. 

"What we think about Mitch is not up for debate. He’s an excellent person first and foremost and an excellent young player. I’m optimistic and feel good about where things will go in the future. 

"Mitch has been excellent throughout and Darren [Ferris] has been excellent to deal with. We just continue to stay in touch here and hope to move towards an agreement."

Dubas however feels stunned that there is so much pressure on him with Marner now, when across the league, other prominent RFAs like Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine or Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point have yet to be signed as well. 

"You go through different markets, and [no other RFAs] seem to be on the cusp of signing or anything like that either right? This is a league-wide thing. We just continue to plod along with our business.”

He is right. Let’s all take a breather I guess…