The Mitch Marner saga is beginning to weigh heavily on the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans.
After watching Kyle Dubas interviews, I couldn’t help but notice his patient but somewhat weary resignation to the idea of hope regarding the Mitch Marner contract still on standby. The painful countdown is now in earnest for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner, and Leafs fans.
Having gone through the difficult process with William Nylander last season, it’s obvious Dubas would like nothing more than to solve this last remaining piece of the Leafs’ roster puzzle. With training camp just days away, it appears he was almost wishfully hinting for things to get settled in time for Marner to join up and start with the team on day one.
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He’s certainly moved heaven and earth to accommodate that possibility. Many would venture to say his patience has been viewed as weakness. But time actually favors Dubas. Because this franchise has depth, and players more than happy to jump in should Marner choose to continue waiting.
Over time, Tavares’ value and ability to bolster the numbers of any winger on his line will only serve to highlight an alternate possibility. Tavares with Marner alongside is obviously ideal however this team has the capacity to adapt if necessary.
I can’t imagine Marner wanting to sit out a single day at camp, or going to Switzerland instead. It just doesn’t make sense. Not only from a risk management perspective, in that there is just as much a chance of injury while training or playing oversees as there is North America while unsigned but also in terms of setting up with fellow Leafs teammates at camp.
Regardless of talent, skill, and experience, there is no substitute for being there and going through the paces at the NHL level. Even more so once the season starts. Were Marner to go to Switzerland, he would also miss out on training, as there is a sharp dropoff in that regard once the regular season begins.
The example of a player of Nylander’s caliber falling behind critically after just a few months overseas certainly is a sobering thought. Surely Marner has taken note and must realize not only will he lose out on being part of what appears to be an improved roster, but also the business of momentum. At some point, if not already, surely it becomes obvious there is more to be lost than gained by sitting out any part of the upcoming season.
And at some point soon, other RFAs will have to make their decisions, as this same issue weighs on each player. With the longterm signing of Clayton Keller, the Arizona Coyotes have managed to sort through what could have been this same distracting process, albeit a year ahead of schedule. The commitment affords both sides to now move forward and concentrate on the upcoming season, never mind training camp.
With the CBA looking fairly neutral in light of lockdown talks dying down, signings should start to happen fairly soon. Talks surrounding escrow, it is perhaps the one issue needing a major redo, could, of course, create more uncertainty.
I’m going to side with Dubas’ hopefulness, despite all signs to the contrary up to this point. Because at the end of it all, Marner was born to play hockey. Toronto Maple Leafs hockey.