David Pagnotta: There is increased talk that at least one team is “very seriously considering” sending Mitch Marner an offer sheet.
Unclear on when it could happen and if Marner would have any interest in signing it. Contract talks with Toronto continue.
The Fourth Period: Marner is believed to be looking for around $11.5 million per season and the Maple Leafs are preferring a deal in the $10 million range.
If Marner signs an offer sheet that is in the $12 million range, the Maple Leafs would have to move some additional salary out.
Mike Kelly: The New York Islanders missed out on Artemi Panarin and may not be done looking to add a big name. Offer sheeting Mitch Marner is a real possibility and target for them.
Joey Vandetta: Hearing that there will be an offer sheet coming for Toronto Maple Leafs forward Marner.
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— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) July 5, 2019
Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said on Sportsnet’s Tim and Sid that talks with Mitch Marner’s agent Darren Ferris continue and that he’ll try to get as creative as they can to get a deal done.
“We’ve said repeatedly, and we’re never going to change our stance on Mitch and the type of person that he is,” Dubas said. “He’s a joy to have around each day, coming into the rink each day and he’s obviously a star player in the league already. Those are the types of players that you want to have a part of your program for as long as possible and we’ll just continue to work with Darren to try to make sure that that remains the case.”
Dubas added that other big named RFAs remain unsigned as well so they are not as anxious as they might have been. He’ll keep working and pushing along.
On the threat of an offer sheet.
“I think we went into the off-season, we were always prepared that that was a possibility,” Dubas said. “We’re aware of it, we’re aware of the threat, we’re aware of the different things that are happening with different teams and you kind of try to track where other teams are at to try to make sure that you’re in a good spot in case one comes and then you have to make your decision based on whatever that may be, if the offer sheet is, in fact, signed.
“It’s interesting, people say that somebody is going to be ‘given’ an offer sheet and I think that, because they’re free agents, the discussion on the actual contract can be had with the player and his agent. So it would be an agreed-upon negotiation on that side as well,” he continued. “If it happens, it happens, and I think we’re in a spot where we’ve protected ourselves to make a very sound decision and not a defensive one. But like I said earlier, we’re totally focused on certainly continuing to work with Darren and with their camp to try to get this done.”