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Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner far apart from deal

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during warm up before a game against the Boston Bruins during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during warm up before a game against the Boston Bruins during Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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According to Bob McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs and star forward Mitch Marner are nowhere close to agreeing on terms for his new contract.

This year’s restricted free agent market is stacked. No RFA is getting more attention right now than Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner. After having a career-best season, he needs a new deal.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the two sides aren’t close to agreeing to a contract. He goes as far as to say the Leafs are probably hoping for an offer sheet since at least that would bring some closure to the situation.

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McKenzie notes the two sides have a huge difference in what they want in Marner’s new deal. A negotiated settlement (which would come with an offer sheet) would be the fastest and most efficient way to end the staredown between Marner and the Leafs.

Last season, Marner picked up 94 points in 82 games. That put him 11th in the NHL. Marner’s 68 assists placed fourth in the NHL, trailing only Blake Wheeler, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov. For the second straight year, he led the Maple Leafs in points. He also set a career-high with 26 goals.

By comparison, Marner’s career high before the 2018-19 season was 69 points, which came in 2017-18. During the postseason, he had four points in seven games. With Marner as his wing, John Tavares had his best goalscoring season with 47 goals and he also set his career-high in points with 88.

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According to Elliotte Friedman on his latest 31 Thoughts podcast, Marner wants a short-term deal that will take him as close to free agency as possible. He wants it to be an expensive deal as well.

Marner probably wants a five-year deal, much like his teammate Auston Matthews. Also, it’s worth noting that’s what Sebastian Aho got (even if it was in an offer sheet). His agent is likely hoping to get something close to what Matthews is making ($11.634 million cap hit).

The Leafs, however, want him cheaper than that. Remember, Marner didn’t put up outstanding numbers under Tavares came along. And considering Tavares’ knack for making his wings better, it’s fair to question if Marner deserves a cap hit of over $10 million.

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Last season, Toronto went until the last minute to finalize William Nylander’s contract. If the two sides are as far apart as they appear to be, there could be another holdout situation. At 22 years old, Marner’s best years are ahead of him. It will be interesting to see how this situation ends.

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