Mitch Marner’s future with the Maple Leafs isn’t getting sorted out anytime soon, according to TSN insider Darren Dreger.
The star winger is having another stellar season, putting up 42 points in just 32 games. His 32 assists lead the team.
But Toronto’s front office is taking a surprisingly relaxed approach to his contract situation. They’re happy to let Marner focus on hockey for now, with serious talks likely waiting until 2025.
“The team has a plan,” Dreger says. “They’re just not in any rush to make it happen early in the season.”
It’s a interesting strategy, considering how important Marner is to the Leafs’ success. The 26-year-old playmaker has been one of their most consistent performers since breaking into the league.
Don’t expect any trade drama, though. With Toronto firmly in playoff contention, there’s virtually no chance they’ll move Marner this season.
The last time the Leafs negotiated with Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, things got pretty tense. That was back in 2019, when talks dragged on until just before training camp before Marner signed his current six-year deal.
There’s another factor at play here: John Tavares’s contract situation. The former captain is also due for an extension, and that might be the team’s first priority.
If Tavares signs a team-friendly deal soon, that could clear the way for Toronto to turn their full attention to locking up Marner long-term.
For now, though, the message is clear: Let Marner play, and worry about the paperwork later.
