September 9, 2024 | 11:58aM ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MARNER, MAPLE LEAFS NOT YET CLOSE TO EXTENSION

Mitch Marner, forward

Star winger Mitch Marner has been the subject of endless rumours since the start of the off-season and now that he is in the final year of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, speculation over his future with the organization will only increase with training camps set to begin across the NHL in nine days.

Marner, 27, is in the final year of a six-contract that carries a $10.903 million cap hit this season and a full no-movement clause.

Contract discussions between the Maple Leafs, led by GM Brad Treliving, and Marner’s camp, led by agent Darren Ferris, have occurred throughout the summer, but a new deal does not appear to be in the offing.

During his first appearance of the new season on TSN1050’s “First Up” in Toronto on Monday morning, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported a contract extension is not close, but that should not set off any alarm bells.

“I think they’re in a good place,” Dreger said, referring to the relationship between the player and team. “But I don’t want to misconstrue that with the belief that an extension is looming, that it’s going to happen quickly. Obviously, it’s going to be a top-of-mind, big story from the beginning of training camp and probably until the day that an extension with committed and announced, but I don’t have the sense that that’s going to happen any time soon. And I think both sides are okay with that.”

Marner has spent most of the off-season training at home and has done a good job in reducing the amount of chatter around him by staying out of the spotlight. He has recently been training in Vail, Colorado, with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, is preparation for the upcoming season.

Amid trade speculation, as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported multiple times over the off-season, Marner’s preference and priority is to stay in Toronto and sign a long-term extension with the Leafs, something Dreger reinforced Monday.

“Marner knows that this is yet another big year for that young leadership group, and he’s a big part of that. So, he’s focused on a good start for himself, for his team,” Dreger noted.

“I don’t get the sense that there’s contract pressure on Marner. He’s happy for it to be quiet. There’s good dialogue between Darren Ferris and Brad Treliving; they’ve got a good relationship, but they’re not in heavy negotiations. Again, both sides are okay with that. There doesn’t appear to be a rush, at this stage.”

Marner has eclipsed or been on pace for 90+ points in each of the last six seasons and performed at a pace of 101 points last season, where he registered 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 games.

It is clear Marner will command a raise on his next deal, but how big and how much the Leafs are willing to commit to remains to be seen.

“There is a realisation from the organization’s standpoint that Marner is going to be paid again, and he’s going to get paid well,” Dreger stated.

Meanwhile, Dreger also reported on the future of restricted free agent forward Nick Robertson.

Robertson, who turns 23 on Sept. 11, is coming off his three-year, entry-level contract and while he still prefers a change of scenery via trade, something Treliving explored this summer, he is likely to sign a new deal with Toronto and start the season with the Maple Leafs.

According to Dreger, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke with Robertson and told him he would be given every opportunity to secure a top-nine role with the team in training camp.

“Berube assured Nick Robertson that he’d be given a chance,” Dreger said, adding that this situation is “probably going to sort itself out in the days ahead.”

In 56 games with the Maple Leafs last season, Robertson registered 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points.