The biggest RFA drama of the summer is finally over.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Mitch Marner has signed a six-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Marner 6 years in TOR. Done
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 13, 2019
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Marner’s deal will carry an AAV of $10.893 million over the six years.
To be precise. Marners AAV is $10.893 x 6 years.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2019
CapFriendly posted some further information about the deal, including the fact that the Leafs currently sit at $13,365,199 above the cap hit. However, as CapFriendly has noted, the Leafs are due to place both David Clarkson and Nathan Horton on LTIR at the end of Training Camp, which will provide them with a cap relief of $10.55 million. Forward Zach Hyman is also injured, and could be eligible for LTIR.
With Mitch Marner signed, and assuming Åberg and Gauthier are assigned to the minors, in addition to Horton, Clarkson, Hyman and Dermott on IR, we tentatively show the #Leafs as being $13,365,199 above the $81.5M ceiling, prior to any LTIR placements.https://t.co/BPt2vFnhEu pic.twitter.com/m9cIVvGk2I
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) September 13, 2019
Details surrounding the negotiations between the Leafs and Marner’s camp had trickled out slowly over the last few days. According to Dreger, the Leafs had extended an $11 million offer with B bonuses in June, but were pursuing a seven or eight-year term.
The Leafs have been persistent in pushing both a 7 yr and 8 yr extension at Marner. The $11 mil per offer was made in June and included the $1.6 mil in B bonuses Toronto wouldn’t pay Marner in his entry level contract. 3 yr ext remains the focus.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 11, 2019
This was backed up by Friedman in his 31 Thoughts column, where he wrote, “My belief is Toronto is willing to go to an $11-million AAV, but only if he signs for seven years. I’d heard both sides might agree to two years — then let arbitration sort it out — but a few sources threw cold water on that. I mentioned during a radio hit last week the rumour that Marner’s representatives pitched a three-year contract with a structure similar to the Meier/Werenski setup, with the third season as high as $15 million. However, I’m told that was several months ago and is no longer relevant, although both sides have continued to explore that kind of an option.”
TSN’s Bob McKenzie noted in his own report that the lower AAV and longer term were the aspects that hadn’t been palatable for Marner.
TOR has made seven and eight year offers in the $11M AAV universe but because it’s a lower AAV and longer term than Auston Matthews, it hasn’t been palatable to Marner.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 11, 2019
Marner had a career-best season in 2018-19, with 26 goals and 94 points. He was the leading point scorer on the Leafs for two seasons running, and the 11th-highest in the NHL during the 2018-19 season.
Whether you believe the contract is an overpay for Marner or not, Leafs fans must be relieved that the contract is locked up just a few days into Training Camp.
Mitch Marner is back the #MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/OJAZqppB8N
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) September 13, 2019
Headline photo: @marner.93
