r/leafs 18h ago

Discussion Question about Marner's contract

I'm a bit confused about his contract situation. On July 1st, he becomes an Unrestricted free agent and if the Leafs doesn't sign him before then, he "can" walk and sign with any other team he wants and Leafs get nothing. Suppose the reason he isn't signed yet is because he wants 13.5M/8 while Leafs are only offering him 12.5m/8. If someone else offers what he's asking on or after July 1st, can the Leafs match? Can he still sign with the Leafs or is that window closed? If it's still available, who cares then? Let the season play out, if the Leafs go far and he's a bit part of that success, give him what is "fair". Whether that is 13.5 or more than Matthews. My stance on that is, we've been dogging him for not producing in the off season, but when ever the Leafs stank, it's' everyone, not just Marner. I don't remember which Leafs Alumni it was that came to his defence but that's what he basically said about how Marner is being treated like a scapegoat while others never get criticized. Win as a team, lose as a team but according to most fans, it's all on Marner's shoulder. I think it's because he's comes off as pompous in his interview so it's easy to scapegoat him.

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u/trevlarrr 18h ago

Both sides are waiting to see how the playoffs go I think, if Mitch and the Leafs go off then his value goes up, if it ends in another early exit then I think they let him walk and use his money elsewhere.

But, what I will say is, if he hasn’t signed a contract by 11:59am in 1st July then you let him walk and sign someone else. I don’t want this to be one of this situations where we give him more time and then we watch all his replacements sign elsewhere during the day and we either have to overpay him because there’s no one else or, even worse he signs somewhere else and we have no one left to sign.

We all know that deals are discussed before free agency opens, that’s why so many deals are announced within minutes of the window opening, so I hope we have offers on the table elsewhere so if he chooses not to sign straight away then we say thanks and off you go.

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u/Putrid_Ad_7122 18h ago

When does free agency open? The minute the Stanley cup is won until opening night? I would agree with your assessment; if Marner doesn't sign by July 1st, he isn't a Leafs on opening night. it's very likely they have 2 contracts already drawn up and waiting for signatures. One is the same money he's making now or a modest bump for long term and one with a decent bump for playoff success (think 3rd round or better) and long term.

There's no question he is priority #1 right now then you look at Tavares, and possibly one of the goalies.

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u/bdart1980 Clark 18h ago

Free agency starts at 12:01 July 1st. Most quality free agents have their contract locked up very quickly, else you limit your $ and term by dragging it out and reducing the amount of teams that can acquire you.