The Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, has not explicitly stated his intentions regarding Mitch Marner’s future with the team. However, his silence on the matter is significant, especially considering his public stance on re-signing Auston Matthews and William Nylander in the past. In June 2023, Treliving made it clear that signing Matthews was his top priority, and he also expressed a desire to re-sign Nylander. This contrast with the lack of public statements about Marner’s future suggests that Treliving may not be as committed to retaining Marner as he was with Matthews and Nylander.
Marner’s contract situation is similar to that of Matthews and Nylander, as he has a full no-movement clause and is eligible for an extension. Unlike his teammates, Marner has chosen not to sign an extension yet and is instead opting to bet on himself and potentially become an unrestricted free agent next season. This approach is similar to that of Nylander, who also chose not to sign an extension last year and eventually signed a new deal[4][5].
The silence from Treliving on Marner’s future could indicate that the team is not as eager to re-sign him as they were with Matthews and Nylander. This could be due to various factors, including Marner’s contract demands, his performance on the ice, or the team’s overall financial situation. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Treliving’s public stance on Marner’s future is significantly different from his approach with Matthews and Nylander, and this could have implications for the team’s roster and future plans.
The striking difference in the situation is the club’s reluctance to make a trade solely for the purpose of appearing different. The club’s general manager, Treliving, emphasizes that they will only make moves that improve the team, not just to make a statement. He also expresses a willingness to be bold but only if there are viable options to do so. The club’s stance on Mitch Marner’s contract extension is unclear, with Treliving neither confirming nor denying any plans to prioritize an extension.
Fascinating stuff from Elliotte Friedman on today’s “32 Thoughts” regarding Mitch Marner.
Message to those of you expecting a quick resolution to the situation: don’t hold your breath. pic.twitter.com/QO2irhiDSZ
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) June 3, 2024
The general manager, Treliving, appears open to making changes, but the team’s financial situation limits their leverage. The organization is committed to paying three forwards, including Marner, roughly $36.5 million annually, which could make it difficult to retain other desirable free agents. Marner is shielded by a no-move clause and has no reason to rush into a new contract.
He will receive a significant signing bonus on July 1 and has a low base salary for the upcoming season, making him an attractive target for other teams. It is possible that a competing front office could propose a good deal to the Maple Leafs and Marner’s camp, potentially getting ahead of the situation.
However, the situation is different from the trade of Matthew Tkachuk, who wanted out of Calgary, and Marner’s true intentions are unknown.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, has not publicly expressed a desire to prioritize Mitch Marner’s contract extension or envision him as a long-term Maple Leaf.
This is strikingly different from his approach with other star players, such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander, who received public assurances of the team’s commitment to re-signing them.
Treliving’s reluctance to comment on Marner’s future or make a trade solely to make a statement suggests that the team is open to change but has limited leverage due to their financial commitments to other players. Marner’s no-move clause and willingness to bet on himself in the upcoming season make him an attractive target for other teams.
The Maple Leafs’ options include giving Marner another raise, running the core back together, or using their leverage to force a trade.
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