Former NHL player and current “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast host Paul Bissonnette has revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in discussions to extend Mitch Marner’s contract.
Marner is in the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million deal signed in 2019. With his contract nearing its end, trade rumors have been swirling around him.
“I am hearing rumblings they’re in the process of negotiating Mitch Marner’s new contract,” Bissonnette stated on the June 18 episode of “Spittin’ Chiclets.” “It was a rumor, but I heard he was going to get the extension.”
Extending Marner would be somewhat surprising given the persistent trade rumors following the Maple Leafs’ playoff elimination.
Marner recently finished a season where he scored 26 goals and provided 59 assists, totaling 85 points in 69 games. However, he struggled in the playoffs, recording only 1 goal and 2 assists in seven games.
Marner has been with the Maple Leafs since being drafted fourth overall in the 2015 NHL draft.
Paul Bissonnette Skeptical of Extending Marner
Bissonnette, a Maple Leafs fan, expressed reservations about the team extending Marner. He argued that Toronto might overpay Marner, who could seek a raise from his current $10.9 million salary. Bissonnette suggested Marner should take a pay cut to stay with Toronto.
“If they overpay him and give him $11.5 or $12 million, it is absurd. He should play out the year and prove himself in the playoffs. If you demand $11.5 to $12 million, you need to dominate in the playoffs, and we have never seen that next level from him,” Bissonnette added.
He also speculated that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving might prefer re-signing Marner over risking a trade. However, Bissonnette questioned whether Marner should be brought back given the team’s lack of playoff success.
Toronto GM Reportedly Prefers to Re-Sign Marner
Despite indications that Marner might be traded after the Maple Leafs’ first-round exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reported on June 17 that the Maple Leafs prefer to re-sign Marner.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on Toronto to see how they handle Marner’s contract situation and whether they believe he can lead them to postseason success.
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