The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally put an end to months of speculation and anxiety by announcing the signing of star forward Mitch Marner. With the Edmonton Oilers securing Leon Draisaitl, the last major obstacle to Marner’s deal is now out of the way, allowing the Leafs to move forward with their season.
For some time, the Leafs appeared to be in a holding pattern, with fans anxiously awaiting the resolution of Marner’s contract situation. While opinions on social media suggested division among the fanbase, the overwhelming majority of Leafs supporters have been eager to see Marner re-signed. The noise from those few who opposed the deal has been amplified by social media, but they represent only a small fraction of the fanbase.
With Draisaitl’s contract now finalized, Toronto is free to focus on their own star player. The last time Marner signed with the Leafs, the deal stirred controversy, with some arguing that he was overpaid compared to other top NHL forwards like Draisaitl, Pastrnak, and Kucherov. This time around, the Leafs were keen to avoid a repeat of that situation, especially with Draisaitl now set to earn $14 million annually on a contract that runs until he’s 37.
Marner, who is slightly younger than Draisaitl, is also due for a new contract at the end of the upcoming season. While Draisaitl has indicated he won’t negotiate during the season, it’s unclear whether Marner has made a similar declaration. Nevertheless, the Leafs are motivated to finalize the deal quickly to avoid a season-long distraction.
Marner is one of the best players to ever wear the Leafs uniform, and as his career progresses, he could very well become the greatest in the franchise’s history, second only to Auston Matthews. If Marner’s contract situation remained unresolved, it would dominate headlines and potentially disrupt the team’s focus throughout the season.
Now that the Leafs know Marner won’t be asking for $14 million, a deal should be relatively straightforward. With Matthews earning $13.25 million, a contract in the range of $12 to $12.5 million for Marner seems likely. While an eight-year deal would be ideal, even a four-year contract would provide stability for both the player and the team.
Trading Marner was never a serious option, so getting this deal done is crucial. With Draisaitl’s signing setting the stage, Leafs fans can expect an official announcement on Marner’s new contract in the near future.
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