Maple Leafs Reportedly Seeking CLARITY from Mitch Marner Before Making Any Moves This Offseason

Mitch Marner is in the final year of his 6-year deal and will become a free agent on July 1 if he does not sign a contract extension.

Maple Leafs Reportedly Seeking CLARITY from Mitch Marner Before Making Any Moves This Offseason

Mitch Marner (Image via Imago)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in for a huge offseason this time. After losing in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the team made some big decisions. Now, the franchise is waiting for a clarity from superstar Mitch Marner before making any moves this offseason.

Marner signed a 6-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs in 2019. He is currently in the final year of this contract and will become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA).

If that happens, it will bring an end to the ‘Core 4’ era of the team. Alongside Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares, Marner forms the ‘Core 4’ of the Maple Leafs. His loss could be a big one for the team.

As the speculations regarding his future grow, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts on the ’32 Thoughts’ podcast regarding this. As per the Sportsnet Insider, the team will ask for some clarity from the 28-year-old regarding his future before making any move.

I think, first of all, the Maple Leafs are going to ask for clarity. Just where is this going? Is it 100% you are testing free agency on July 1st? Or is there any conversation that can be had here? And that’s what I think they’ll do, is they’ll ask that first and see what the answer is, and go from there.

Marner and the Maple Leafs could sign a contract extension and avoid the free agency saga. However, at the moment, it is unclear what the forward star wants.

Mitch Marner reportedly declined a massive contract extension with Maple Leafs earlier this season

The contract situation of Mitch Marner has been one thing that has concerned the Toronto Maple Leafs throughout the season. A recent report suggests that the Canadian international declined to sign a massive contract extension.

Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner (Image via Imago)

As per The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, the Maple Leafs tried to tie him down to a huge deal. According to him, the team offered an 8-year contract, that would have been the largest in franchise history.

This reportedly took place before the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Marner would decline this offer. At the moment, the biggest contract in Maple Leafs history belongs to their current captain, Auston Matthews. The American forward signed a 4-year, $53 million deal which sees him earning $13.25 million annually.

Earlier in the season, there were also talks about the Maple Leafs trading him away. The Carolina Hurricanes would try to trade him with Mikko Rantanen. He refused to waive his no-trade clause and decided to remain with his hometown team a little bit longer.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube wants Mitch Marner to return to the team for next season

At the moment, it is unclear whether Mitch Marner will be playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season. Head coach Craig Berube was recently asked about him and John Tavares (he is also expected to leave the team) and whether he would like the team to re-sign them.

Mitch Marner and Craig Berube
Mitch Marner and Craig Berube (Image via Yahoo Sports/ClutchPoints)

The 58-year-old nodded his head and said, “100 percent” before leaving the podium. Berube, who is expected to have a bigger role next season following the departure of President Branden Shanahan, wants Marner to return to them.

Marner has been part of the Maple Leafs since the 2016-17 season. During this tenure, he has become a key member of the team and has come up with some big moments. In the 657 regular-season games for the Maple Leafs, he has 221 goals and 520 assists (741 points). The Leafs fans would be hoping for this tally to continue with them only from next season.

Also Read: