We are just eight days away from the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ training camp and fans have been patiently waiting to see what will happen between the team and restricted free agent star forward Mitch Marner.
The summer hasn’t been relaxing what’s so ever…
Marner has made it clear that it wouldn’t feel to show up at the club’s camp without a contract and has been practicing with the Zurich Lions in Switzerland in the meantime.
However, NHL insider Chris Johnston of Sportsnet has offered yet another important update in the saga on Wednesday morning. Johnston is positive that the next week leading up to the opening of training camp will be a decisive one in this impasse. Johnston stated that both camps will work hard in the coming days to come to an agreement with a negotiations blitz. But we know that if a deal can’t be reached prior to Sept. 12, things could get out of hand!
This approaching deadline could finally get the better of general manager Kyle Dubas, who simply cannot afford to undergo another William Nylander-like situation this season. We all remember how Nylander waited to the final minute on Dec. 1st to get a lucrative deal in his pockets…
Marner is reportedly seeking as much as $13 million per season on a long term deal, while the team would prefer to keep his salary under the $10 million mark. Dubas made it clear on Tuesday that he has NO intention of trading Marner and isn’t even interested in listening to offers.
The 21-year-old had a breakout season last year, recording 26 goals and 68 assists for a total of 94 points in 82 games last campaign.
Let’s see what kind of breakout contract he can land now and if the Leafs and his side will manage to get it done before the start of training camp…
