Remember when a Columbus-based distillery tried to entice Artemi Panarin to stay with the Blue Jackets by putting a tempting offer on a local billboard, out for everyone to see, promising the Russian forward free High Bank vodka for life? Well, it inspired a Toronto burger chain to do the same when it comes to Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner.
This is all coming after the Maple Leafs signed superstar center Auston Matthews to a contract extension worth nearly $60 million over five years on Tuesday. Matthews’ new deal will come with a $11.63 million cap hit, which will make him the team’s highest paid player, just $630,000 north of John Tavares’ $11 million cap hit.
Now, the focus shifts to Marner and The Burgers Priest wants to make sure he stays in Toronto.
The local burger chain posted an offer to Marner on their Instagram page on Wednesday night, offering free burgers for life to the star forward when he signs on the dotted line on a Leafs’ contract.
“We heard about your contract negotiations. We really want you to stay. How bad? Free burgers for life bad.”
As of now, there is no sign pointing to the fact that Marner is tempting to leave Toronto. While the forward has decided to wait until the season is over to negotiate his contract extension, he has repeated his desire to play with the Leafs for a long time.
One thing is certain, however, Marner cannot just sign any deal. If anything this season has proved that he’s just as important to the Leafs’ future as Matthews and Tavares and he can certainly argue that he’s not worth a penny less. Whether or not Leafs management sees it this way though, remains to be seen.
It does not seem like the Columbus-based distillery’s offer has persuaded Panarin to remain a Blue Jackets. On the contrary, the Russian forward maintains he will test the free agency market this summer.
As for Marner, the Burgers Priest sure makes a delicious offer here… It remains to be seen what the Maple Leafs can put on the table in the coming months…
