Toronto Maple Leafs: Why Mitch Marner needs to sign a bridge deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner still haven’t agreed to a new deal. At this point, a bridge deal is probably the best option for both sides.

NHL free agency started up a month ago, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to sign superstar forward and restricted free agent Mitch Marner to a new contract.

Marner is coming off a career year in which he led the Maple Leafs in scoring with 94 points (26 goals, 68 assists). Even on a team that features world-class stars in Auston Matthews and John Tavares, Marner was unquestionably Toronto’s best player in 2018-19.

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Without a doubt, Marner deserves a contract worth $10 million-plus a season. The Maple Leafs know they can’t lose Marner, who’s been a vital part of their success over the past three seasons. And the Markham, Ont. native surely knows that staying in Toronto is best for his career.

It’s obvious that the two sides aren’t seeing eye to eye on a long-term contract, and that’s why the Maple Leafs and Marner should move towards negotiating a bridge deal. There is no risk for either party and it’s probably the best option for both Marner and the Maple Leafs going forward.

Matthews wisely signed a five-year pact worth $58.17 million back in February, which was a smart move for both sides. When his current deal runs up, Matthews will be young enough to sign another monster deal for the maximum term.

At the same time, he took a slight discount and gave general manager Kyle Dubas some long-term cap room and flexibility.

Being only 22 years of age, Marner should also look at taking a bridge deal with Toronto. A two or three-year pact in the neighborhood of $7 million to $9.5 million would make the most sense for both sides.

Why? Again, Marner would be giving Dubas the flexibility he needs. Not only that, but Marner would also set himself up for a monster extension down the road. He’d be earning a lot of money over the next three years, before maxing out on the next deal.

Marner just needs to look at how the Tampa Bay Lightning did business with franchise star Nikita Kucherov. In Oct. 2016, Kucherov inked a three-year pact that only paid him $4.766 million on average per season. He elevated his game from there, and last offseason, Kucherov hit a home run with an eight-year pact worth $76 million.

Had Kucherov signed a long-term deal back in October, he’d be playing on a much more team-friendly deal. But he took the risk, outplayed his contract and was awarded with big money. Matthews wisely took the same path, and Marner should be looking to do the same.

If Marner signs a bridge deal, and if he continues to put up 80-plus points a season, the Maple Leafs will reward him with that down the road. Marner can help his team out by signing a short-term deal.

Not only that, but he can max out on cash by signing a bridge contract now in order to set himself up for an even bigger deal down the road. Add it all up, and a bridge deal is the best bet for both Marner and the Maple Leafs.