Marner’s Mega Deal: Maple Leafs Star Poised to Sign the Largest Contract in Franchise History
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner may be set to stay in Toronto long-term, with NHL analyst Steve Dangle of SDPN predicting the superstar will re-sign to stay put in Canada’s capital.
Dangle went further, predicting the length and value of the deal, projecting the Maple Leafs to re-sign Marner to an eight-year, $104.8 million contract.
If finalized, the deal would make Marner the second-highest player in Toronto only behind captain and fellow superstar forward Auston Matthews. On top of that, he’d be one of the highest-paid wingers in the NHL, with an annual average value of $13.1 million—just under Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million AAV.
“Toronto, $13.1 (million per year),” Dangle said on Tuesday’s broadcast of the SDPN show. “Eight (years) because it’s a hair under Matthews, $13.1. He’s not going anywhere.”
Marner, 27, is in the final season of his six-year, $65.4 million contract and has already made it clear that his priority is to remain with his hometown team.
“Growing up in this area, I’ve always been a Leaf fan, I’ve always wanted this team to succeed just to see what it would be like as a fan, and now being a part of it is pretty special,” Marner said on Sep. 18. “It’s my home, it’s the place I’ve grown up.”
Dangle was hesitant about how good of a deal re-signing Marner would be for the Leafs at the start of the season but the analyst emphasized that Marner’s strong performance this year has changed his opinion on the matter.
“My opinion is shifting a bit, for two reasons,” Dangle said. “One, this is the best I think he’s ever played.
“The other is (…) the cap is (going up). It will be $13.1 (million), eight (years).”
Through 38 games this season, Marner has recorded 13 goals and 38 assists for 51 points, pacing the Leafs in assists and sitting second in team scoring.
With the NHL salary cap expected to rise in the coming seasons, Dangle believes Toronto can afford to make such a financial commitment without jumping over Matthews on the Leafs’ internal salary ranks.
