Maple Leafs make Marner a significant offer?
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Brian Burke says the Maple Leafs have made Mitch Marner a significant offer, and why he’d wait to see if there is an offer sheet.
“It’s a little early to call it a debacle, but if I got this close, I would wait until July 1st. I wouldn’t sign. None of these guys have.
My understanding is that a very significant offer was made; a full eight-year term and $10 million a year was what one of our guys told me — a guy on our staff who talked to the agent.
My understanding is they don’t want the eight-year term. Auston Matthews has the right to walk after five years and this player is saying, “If I’ve got to take less money than Auston Matthews even though I am the leading scorer the last two years, I am certainly not taking a longer term.”
The notion they’re waiting until July 1st to see if there is an offer sheet — I’d do the same thing if I was representing this player. It is already June 24th.”
Johnston thinks it’s doubtful Marner signs an offer sheet
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Chris Johnston on Friedman’s 31 thoughts podcast said that Maple Leafs fans panic level is off the rails.
“But it’s clear to me that the Leafs have prioritized signing him and they are going to do whatever it takes one way or another. I really don’t believe we are going to see an offer sheet on Mitch Marner. I might be wrong, but I’ve talked to enough people from other teams just gauging how this sort of thing might play out. You are going to have to overpay him.
If you’re trying to get Toronto not to match, you’re going to have to give him a salary that the Leafs say, “Okay, we can’t give him that.” And you’re going to have to give up four first-round draft picks. I think the world of Mitch Marner as a player and it’s not a shot at him, but the way the system works, it’s very unlikely he gets a formal offer sheet. Until I see it, I won’t believe it.”
Dubas on free agency
Dave McCarthy of NHL.com: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas when asked if they will be trying to sign any of the top unrestricted free agents on July 1st.
“No, the salary cap is going to constrain us big time on July 1,” Dubas said Sunday at the Toronto Pride Parade. “We’ll probably be looking for guys we can give a great opportunity to, like Tyler Ennis last year who came in and had a great season for us and guys of that nature, but we will not be in the big-game market at all, aside from coming to an agreement with our own guy, Mitch, and working towards that. We all know how important he is to us and to the community.”
They are close to having Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johansson deals to announce. They are working towards getting a Marner deal done.
“I’m always hopeful it will get done before July 1, but Mitch has his rights,” Dubas said. “It’s not on Mitch to free us up, he has his rights. He has been a fantastic player for us and person for us. We’ll continue to work with (agent) Darrin Ferris and his people, and just carry on.”