Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The offseason is finally slowing down. The NHL Draft is done. All of the chaos of the free agency frenzy is done and development camps wrapped up over the July 4th week. It is now summer and vacations are happening. However, there are still names on the open market that can garner interest. Also, big time players are able to sign new extensions. Today’s rumours swirl around the Maple Leafs and their top forward.
NHL Rumours
Rumour: Chris Johnston discusses the future of Mitch Marner and the path he can take
Now that the free agency frenzy is done and over with, it’s time to circle back on the biggest name. It’s reportedly out there that the Pittsburgh Penguins are extending Captain Sidney Crosby. Other big names such as Brad Marchand, Mikko Rantanen, and Leon Draisaitl can do the same. However, the biggest situation to keep an eye for is Mitch Marner.
The Maple Leafs went on to add during free agency and brought in defenceman Chris Tanev. Also, coming back is Max Domi and the extension of Joseph Woll looks really nice. Although, the buzz surrounding Marner will go on even into the upcoming 2024-25 season. There has not been a trade nor an extension. For a player that is a pending free agent after the upcoming season, the path could be one that sees him walk for nothing.
Marner Could Play, Then Walk
The latest NHL Rumours surrounding Marner are much different than the others. Given that there is no extension yet in place, Marner could play out his contract and walk for free into free agency. He does hold the cards, as he has a full no movement clause in his contract and that path would be brutal for the Maple Leafs.
He has the right to not waive for a move elsewhere and being he is the local town boy, that seems unlikely. General Manager Brad Treliving already went through this once with Johnny Gaudreau, so having history not repeat itself would be best for him. However, Marner makes the Maple Leafs a significantly better team. If they are to push for the playoffs, keeping him makes sense and worry about the contract at a later date.
Marner Can Sign
There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. It is the final year of the John Tavares contract, which will be a huge relief financially. Given the salary cap rising and that coming off the books, signing an extension could work out for Marner. Instead of the core four, it could be the big three. Marner will likely get a pay raise and deservedly so. He has hit 90 point mark three times and was a Selke Trophy finalist during the 2022-23 season. He had tremendous value and upside. It will be interesting to see how things fall for Marner and it will likely bleed into the season.
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