Mitch Marner is priority #1 for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas when asked if he expects negotiations to be difficult with Mitch Marner’s camp as they are expected to be looking for money in the Auston Matthews range.
“I don’t know how they are going to go for sure. We were talking to Darren Ferris at the beginning of the season and I’ll call Darren in the coming day or so and begin to see how he would like it to proceed and how Mitch and his family would like it to proceed.
Listen, Mitch has had an excellent season and he is a massive, massive part of everything that we are doing here both in terms of his talent and ability, which has shown to be among the best in the league, and in terms of the joy and the leadership he brings to the club each day. It is priority #1 for us and we’ll get right to it.”
Leafs can’t allow Marner situation to drag on past the draft
Pierre LeBrun: “To me, Dubas can’t let that situation get past the June draft in Vancouver. Cannot allow Marner to be in an offer sheet situation. Make your very best offer to Marner by draft weekend.”
Darren Dreger: (responding to LeBrun) “I agree. Best offer better be north of $10 million and perhaps, north of $11 million per year to encourage Marner to ignore the outside interest beyond July 1.”
Michael Augello: After hearing Marner say that he wants to be with the Maple Leafs, hard to see a new deal not getting done in advance of July 1st.
Darren Dreger: Yes, Dubas has made it clear that Marner is a priority, but if you’re Marner’s camp “why would you sign before July 1 unless you’re getting top dollar from the Leafs?”
This also applies to any of the top RFAs around the league.
Dubas will handle Marner situation differently than he did with Nylander
Kristen Shilton of TSN: Dubas admitted that he may not have managed William Nylander’s contract situation ideally and he won’t make the same mistake with Marner.
“What I would do differently meet with sooner and then stay on them more rather than just wait for them to get back to us and hope it was going to bridge the difference,” Dubas said.