Some think a trade for Marner could still happen, while others believe that ship has sailed. Most agree he’s staying put, but it’s unclear if he’ll finish the season without a new deal or start extension talks soon. His agent’s past aggressive tactics with Kyle Dubas left a bad taste, and many hope things go smoother this time.
Dreger suggests the Maple Leafs might re-sign Marner or trade him. Marner wants to play out his current contract year, complicating decisions further. Fans may wonder how they’ll react if he stays and contract talks are delayed .
Trade Discussions Have Quieted
The Maple Leafs were exploring trades for Marner, but nothing serious came up. Recently, these trade ideas have stopped as new coach Craig Berube seems excited to work with Marner next season.
Berube praised Marner’s character and talent, showing eagerness for the upcoming season. This hints that despite trade rumors, keeping Marner is likely for now. General manager Brad Treliving hasn’t confirmed or denied any trade plans but trying to sign free agents by highlighting playing with Marner and Auston Matthews suggests they see him on the 2024-25 roster. Chris Johnston noted that leveraging Marner’s name was part of their strategy; they even tried getting Jeff Skinner before he signed with Edmonton Oilers.
Fans might think it’s smart to keep the forward core intact while focusing on building a stronger blue line .
Contract Extension Possibilities for Marner
Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs might offer Marner a new contract soon. With one year left on his six-year $65.4 million deal, he became eligible for an extension on July 1st. The details of this potential new deal are unknown but expected to be significant given his value to the team.
Bob McKenzie from TSN agrees that trading him might not bring the best return for Toronto. If trading was initially considered, this realization could shift focus towards extending his contract instead of losing value in any potential move.
So Where Are Things Now With Marner and the Maple Leafs?
The story isn’t over yet; there’s still work on either trading or extending his contract ahead. Keeping him seems more likely as both sides enter final discussions . Fans may not love keeping all core players together but alternatives have been explored thoroughly by now.
Marner holds significant power in deciding his fate—he can block trades and delay signing deals even if offered one by Toronto .
Whether he stays or goes will remain a hot topic through summer until decisions are made ! What do you think will happen?
