As the 2024-25 NHL season looms, much of the focus surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs revolves around the contract situation of star winger Mitch Marner. Entering the final year of his six-year, $65.41 million contract, Marner is poised to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. While rumors swirled over the offseason about whether the Leafs might look to move Marner, it appears the team is in no rush to address his contract status. Both Marner and the Leafs are comfortable taking a slower, more measured approach to the matter.
According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, neither the player nor the organization feels the need to rush into extension talks. While this topic will inevitably dominate headlines as training camp kicks off, Dreger noted that both sides seem content to wait before entering heavy negotiations. This patient approach underscores a mutual understanding that, while a long-term deal is likely, there’s no urgency to get it done immediately. For now, Marner is fully focused on the upcoming season.
The 27-year-old winger, a core member of the Maple Leafs since 2016, remains a vital part of the team’s leadership. Marner’s focus has shifted to preparation, including spending the summer training with some of the NHL’s elite talents, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, in Vail, Colorado. This preparation highlights his commitment to making the 2024-25 campaign another standout year, especially with heightened expectations for the team after some key offseason additions.
Despite ongoing dialogue between Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, and Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, there’s no pressure to push for a deal. Talks remain casual, with both sides acknowledging that the timing needs to be right for a long-term agreement. Dreger suggests that the relationship between Marner’s camp and the team is strong, but negotiations will likely ramp up later in the season if necessary. In the meantime, Marner appears unfazed by the looming contract situation.
The complexity of Marner’s contract cannot be overlooked. He holds a no-movement clause for the 2024-25 season, giving him significant control over his future. If no extension is reached by the trade deadline, the Leafs could face a difficult decision: either attempt to trade him with his approval or risk losing him in free agency. While these scenarios are not yet pressing, they are likely to become more prominent topics of discussion as the season progresses. Both sides, however, seem optimistic that a deal will eventually be reached, and Marner will continue his career in Toronto.
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