Mitch Marner’s name continues to swirl around the NHL rumor mill, with abundant speculation surrounding his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner’s unrestricted free agency is looming over the league after the 2024-25 season ended in yet another early playoff departure for the Maple Leafs. The excitement has reached a fever pitch with the UFA market opening in a fortnight.
This topic was heavily discussed on the recent episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” with Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman.
Toronto Maple Leafs Winger Mitch Marner Could Be in for a 4-Year Deal
While most expect a seven-year deal, apparently, a four-year deal is not out of the question.
“There was a rumor going around this week that a few teams heard that Marner may not be looking to sign a seven-year deal in free agency, that he might look at a four-year deal and then go for another one, kind of the way that Auston Matthews has done it,” Friedman said on the podcast.
“So there’s a lot going on around him right now. You know, the Maple Leafs have tried to talk to Marner, Marner’s camp is not engaged with them, and I think everyone knows the way this is headed,” Friedman added.
“On July 1, he’s going to go out there, he’s going to hit the market, he’s going to pick a team, he’s going to set a contract, and he’s not coming back to Toronto. But, it’s Marner, so everything around him is news.”
Marner is expected to garner a deal of $14 million per year, though an efficient contract would be closer to $12 million. While there are legitimate arguments for Marner’s regular-season value, any team hoping to contend in his free agency pursuit is going to have to offer a top-dollar figure.
Moreover, before making any decision, Friedman expects Marner to take his time. The process could very well extend beyond July 1.
“It sounds like the possibility that exists that this may not be a July 1 thing, that Marner’s choice could be to set up Zoom, or if teams want in-person meetings on July 1 or right after …”
The podcast also mentioned that the Vegas Golden Knights are expected to be a potential landing spot for Marner, no matter what deal is worked out and/or for how many years.
In the regular season, Marner finished as the team leader with a career-high 102 points, 27 goals, and a team-best 75 assists in 81 games. In the playoffs this year for the Maple Leafs, he also tallied 13 points in as many games played.
Marner became the second player ever to win a Memorial Cup, Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy, CHL Player of the Year, a league MVP trophy, and a league playoff MVP trophy in the same season.
The 28-year-old, initially selected fourth overall by his hometown Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft, holds the record for the fastest player in Maple Leafs history to reach 600 career points and has been named a three-time All-Star.
