The absolute best case scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs is that super star forward Mitch Marner agrees to a sign and trade for the team that drafted him. Actually, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes this is the best case scenario for all parties involved.
Mitch Marner is looking to become the highest paid player in the history of the National Hockey League next week. With free agency opening on July 1st, there is one thing the Maple Leafs can offer that nobody else can: an eight year contract.
In the NHL, eight years is the maximum length a contract can be signed for. But the stipulation is that the player must have been on contract with that team at the trade deadline of the previous season. Translation, you cant sign a free agent to an eight year deal.
“A sign and trade would be the only way a new team could get Marner for eight years since Toronto would ‘sign’ him to the contract before July 1 and then trade him,” Kypreos writes. “That’s key because a lot of these Cup contenders would be bumping up to the cap after signing Marner, and an eighth season would be one way for them to bring down the AAV. Every little bit counts.”
For the Leafs, this ensures they would be getting something in return for their super star. For a team acquiring Marner, this ensures they can use an eight year contract to finagle some money. For Marner, he gets his eight year contract.
Vegas Golden Knights Trade Favorites
Because any offer Marner gets will be the maximum amount of money possible, there really isn’t any sort of financial aspect to the negotiation. It will come down to team fit and personal preference for the 28-year-old. But if Toronto can get Marner on board, Vegas is reportedly willing to offer some pretty high caliber players.
“The most obvious sign-and-trade possibility would be with the Vegas Golden Knights, who have become the favourites to land Mitch Marner,” writes Dean Chaudhry of Maple Leafs Daily. “They’ve been reportedly shopping Tomas Hertl… as well as William Karlsson and potentially others including Ivan Barbashev. To make Marner’s potential cap hit work, they would have to move a few bodies – and that’s where Toronto can jump in.”
Dallas Stars Are A Trade Away
Kypreos names the Dallas Stars as another team that could be interested in Mitch Marner, of course that is if they are willing to part ways with Jason Robertson. With reports that Robertson’s next deal could be dangerously close to Marner’s asking price, Kypreos doesn’t believe the Stars are going to be the ones to sign it.
“As far as Dallas is concerned… all eyes will now be focused on how they will get some fresh new talent to help support Mikko Rantanen. Could they take a serious run at Marner?” Kypreos asks. “That may depend on the decision ownership and GM Jim Nill face on whether to re-sign Jason Robertson or cut him loose now with a trade. Robertson has one year remaining on his four-year $31 million deal signed in 2022. Trading Robertson could lead Dallas right into the mix for Marner.”
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