If the Toronto Maple Leafs’ negotiations with Mitch Marner last as long as they did with William Nylander last season, many other NHL teams are going to be in trouble. According to The Athletic’s Joe Smith, many other agents are waiting to see how Marner’s deal shakes out before finalizing terms for their own top restricted free agent forwards. A surprising number of prominent RFA forwards remain unsigned and could stay that way until the Marner deal sets the market.
Writing specifically about the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team facing their own RFA conundrum with breakout center Brayden Point, Smith states that the team expects Point to be ready for camp in September, but agent Gerry Johansson is content with the “slow process”. The agents for Mikko Rantanen, Matthew Tkachuk, Kyle Connor, Brock Boeser, Patrik Laine, and Travis Konecny likely feel the same way and are apparently waiting to see where Marner, the best of the group, ends up before moving forward. In fact, Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal also added today that things are very quiet around Boeser’s camp and he acknowledges that the process has been slow for most big-name RFA’s.
So what will be the first domino to fall? Will Marner really sign first and set the stage for everyone else? Or will another unsigned star finally budge and give the market a much-needed comparable? While Marner, who recorded 94 points in 82 games last year, is the most established player and considered the top RFA who would be the ceiling for the market, he was actually quite comparable to Rantanen and Point last season. However, the rest of the group could benefit from any of the group signing a contract to use as a point of comparison. At this point in the summer, the odds are high that at least one of these negotiations will last into the regular season. But if the reports are true that the market waits on Marner, those teams with top unsigned RFA forwards better hope that Toronto and their star winger are closer than it seems.
Too late for an offer sheet on marner?
Who has $11MM+ lying around for 5 years (only) AND is a desirable destination to him?
Lets get it done upwords of 11.7 … 4 year $12 per $48 mil…. lets go!
Not a chance, leafs offered 8/80,,,very fair,,,I would drop to 6/60, otherwise he sits. Bring on the offer sheet to settle it,,,,,I’m sure leafs would take the 4 firsts
10/60 wouldnt get 4 firsts
sorry 6/60 wouldnt get 4 firsts.
10.5 remains in the second threshhold, so that’s the offer sheet id expect him to get. no reason anyone with that cap space says no.
6/60 would get 4 firsts. It’s averaged over 5 years if he signs for more than 5. So 6/60 would be considered 12mil
you are right Cedric. should have had my morning coffee before doing math.
This will be very interesting to see how these all play out. You have to believe that the QO is pretty much off the table this deep in the offseason.
Marner won’t be signed until opening night of the season. That is when the Leafs will be able to put Clarkson and Horton on LTIR. That will gives the Leafs a total of about $13M in cap space. Marner will get his $11.5M per year that he covets, probably with a 4-6 year deal. And this means the Leafs will have about $2.5M in cap space during the season. And of course the space will be increased a little with a couple of other players starting the year on LTIR due to injuries (Hyman, etc).
Meant to say that it will leave about $1.5M during the season.
snake,
That’s not fair at all. Willie got paid, Tavares got paid, Matthews got paid, and Marner is better then all 3. So unless its upwards of 11.7 then forget about it. Your a fool if you think any of those 4 picks would ever be anywhere close to Marner in talent good luck with that one!
hersch,
Your likely right. Im hoping it gets done sooner can always dream!
I agree with hersch. When LTiR is in effect, that’s when it happens. He’ll miss camp but that’s not a stretch simply because he’s a much more polished player than nylander. He’ll be ready. Plus, while he may be better than those other 3 guys, he’s not a center. Think in baseball terms…he’s a setup guy. Always more assists than goals. To think he’ll get more than Tavares is a pipe dream…but he’ll definitely get around that $10.5M mark. But…as he’s been my fav player since he was with the Knights, I’d like to see him be highest paid in the league. That’s what he means to me!
binarydaddy,
Hopefully he doesn’t but if that happens no worries about him coming to camp in shape unlike Willie. True he’s not but he is one of the most dynamic players in the league and has been the Leafs best player last season and the past few playoffs. It’s hockey not baseball. Willie got paid, Tavares and Matthews and 2 of the three played hardball. So being the best player you should get paid they have the space to get it done at $12 per year and it would be a smarter investement now. Your telling me hes not worth more then EK#65. How many true set up man are they’re left. Let alone the guy is a freaking magician. Mine too. That’s what I’m saying 12 per…. he was 11th in scoring last year!