Maple Leafs are ‘preparing’ to make an offer to re-sign a $65 million forward.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are planning to make Mitch Marner a contract offer to retain him with the team. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Marner has been the focus of trade rumors since the season concluded. He has one year left on his six-year, $65.4 million contract inked in 2019. Although Marner has a full no-movement clause, which means he may block any trade, numerous rumors have indicated he is prepared to be traded to a few of teams.
However, on June 28, during an appearance on his 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman said that Toronto is looking to extend Marner.
“I’m going to stay away from the hot scalding pot that is Mitch Marner, aside to say that I do think they’re preparing to make him an offer, we’ll see,” Friedman informed reporters.
It’s fascinating that Friedman believes the Maple Leafs are preparing an offer for Marner, given there had been speculation that Toronto will deal the gifted winger.
Marner has 69 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs last year, scoring 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points. He contributed one goal and two assists in seven playoff games for Toronto. He has 194 goals and 445 assists for 639 points in 576 regular-season games.
Marner is eligible for a contract extension with the Maple Leafs on July 1.
Marner says he wants to remain in Toronto.
Following the Maple Leafs’ elimination in the first round by the Boston Bruins, Marner talked to the media and expressed his desire to remain in Toronto.
Marner was born and bred in the Greater Toronto Area, so playing for his local team is a social experience for him.
“That would be the goal. I’ve voiced my love for this place. Obviously, I grew up here, so we’ll start thinking about it and attempt to figure it out.
It means the world (to be a Maple Leaf); we’re treated like, you know, type of Gods here to be honest,” Marner told the reporters on May 6.
“It’s something you truly value, and the affection you get from this following, as well as the tension, is similar to any other. You saw that with the Raptors a few years ago, the affection that they still have for many of the players that they had to deal away this year. And that’s the kind of love you seek,” Marner continued.
Marner was selected fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft.
