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Toronto Maple Leafs rumors: Mitch Marner ready to play in Switzerland?

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 the latest rumors from Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet, playing in Switzerland is an option for Toronto Maple Leafs forward MitchMarner if he can’t sign a deal.

Every minute that Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner remains unsigned, it feels like there’s a new rumors about what he and his agent are thinking. According to Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet, Marner’s starting to think about his options if he can’t sign a deal with the Leafs.

Dhaliwal is reporting the unsigned restricted free agent has reached out to the Zurich Lions of the Swiss League. That team might sound familiar for Leafs fans. If it does, it’s because Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews played there during his draft year.

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It’s worth noting how rare it is for RFAs to actually sign overseas. Especially if they’re as great as Marner is. This could also be a short-term thing. Remember, William Nylander practiced with Swedish and Austrian teams to stay fresh during his holdout last season.

Also, this isn’t the first time Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, has used the threat of playing overseas to get his client a new deal. He’s used this with Sam Bennett, Andreas Athanasiou, and Josh Anderson in recent years. It’s a common negotiating tactic, but Ferris has a history of using it as often as possible.

Darren Dreger from TSN has confirmed Dhaliwal’s report. Additionally, he is reporting Marner is considering paying for his insurance to go to Maple Leafs training camp without a contract.

Marner’s lack of a deal is hurting the RFA market. At this point, Brayden Point, Brock Boeser, Charlie McAvoy, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Mikko Rantanen are among the RFA forwards who remain unsigned. Marner’s the one who’s probably making the most money, which is obviously hurting the discussions the other RFAs are having with their teams.

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This saga is likely going to come to an end fairly soon. Both sides seem interested in making something happen before the season starts. Hopefully, this threat of playing overseas will ensure it gets done.

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