Absolutely. They simply can't afford to extend beyond the start of the season. And many other teams also can't if it draws out and they trade him.

For instance:

If they sign on October 9 - one week into the season, a $9.5m contract is already a $9.8m hit this year (and $9.42m for years 2-5). Two weeks in, and that same contract becomes a $10.1m / $9.35m contract.

A $10m contract becomes $10.3m; a $10.5m contract becomes $10.8.

The nuclear option is probably that on October 23, a $10.5m contract over 5 years is still 2 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd in compensation, but would require $11.57m in cap space for year 1.
- Monkeypunk

Pridham, Dubas and Gilman are probably prepping a back up plan if this extends into late October.
If Marner doesn't sign by October 1, let him sit the whole year or trade him.

I'm surprised more Leaf fans aren't urging the team to explore the trade route, even if the return is somewhat less than four first rounders. A combination of two A-1 prospects to go along with picks and it could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this team. Mitch Marner is a talent but let's be real, he's replaceable. Now is there a team willing to offer such a deal? Anaheim? Kase, Josh Manson, Isac Sunderstum and a pick. Or even just those three would be enough. Plus you save 4M in cap space to try and resign Barrie. Just giving Marner 10M and calling it a day doesn't seem like the best play

Don't get me wrong, I'm not worried yet...

I just don't buy what Marner was trying to sell us, I have a hard time believing he doesn't know what's going in.
- PatC80

Every single athlete in every single sport since the dawn of time has said the exact same thing that Marner said, for frank's sakes.

I'm sure his agent is giving it 110%, taking it one clause at a time, and focusing on doing the little things right.

Relax, fellas.

The thought that he is leaving it all up to his agent is so ridiculous that I don't know how to begin addressing it.

You are free to choose to believe whatever you want.
- Aetherial

\I don't think hes leaving it all up to his agent he will surely have some input!

just saying, mid July I am sure Marner isn't stressing nor is Dubas. He cleared the cap for Marner, Leafs will ink him it's all good.

9.5 mil all set with + added if they want to demote or use some Dermott/Hyman $

gravy train fellas.

the level of involvement is probably different for each player.
some probably dont care and just want the agent to handle it
- senstroll

Yeah, sure if it is an ELC with tight restrictions or a 1 year deal at the end of the guys career.

These RFA's are setting up their whole future, now.

The agent answer thing is for one reason only. It shelters the players from too much scrutiny or criticism. To believe the agents handle it all is ridiculous.

Besides the player is the boss, NOT the agent. Absolutely anything that agent does on the player's behalf is subject to approval by the player. Do you think Ferris is talking term and dollar with the Leafs and Marner isn't involved?

Every single athlete in every single sport since the dawn of time has said the exact same thing that Marner said, for frank's sakes.

I'm sure his agent is giving it 110%, taking it one clause at a time, and focusing on doing the little things right.

Relax, fellas.
- Atomic Wedgie

I fully expect that in late August, Ferris will get his offers in deep, put pressure on management and get in front of the camera. Sometimes, even the ugly contracts count.

\I don't think hes leaving it all up to his agent he will surely have some input!

just saying, mid July I am sure Marner isn't stressing nor is Dubas. He cleared the cap for Marner, Leafs will ink him it's all good.

9.5 mil all set with + added if they want to demote or use some Dermott/Hyman $

gravy train fellas.
- Lucas.Neilson

This we agree on.

There is probably next to nothing going on right now. Neither side has any motivation whatsoever. I also think he is signed, probably September.

It's never a good sign when a player keeps saying "my agent."
- gergeswillems

Except that they ALL do it now. That is why the agent answer is utterly meaningless. The questions might as well not even be asked at this point.

Not involved doesn’t mean he is not informed about contract talks and offers.

So the trailers for the following remakes came out on the same day.
Cats - jesus what a freak show
Jay and silent bob - typical kevin smith
Top gun - has pretty much the same scenes as the original.

Any news ideas. That dont involve superheroes?
Geez.
- Fakepartofme

So few really new, original, good movies each year.

Agreed.. Marner passing it off to his agent, basically means they are of the same mind.. They both want to hold the Leafs hostage.
- PatC80

I think Snowman X had it right.

That guy took less money to try and win a Stanley cup with Tampa.

That's the kind of dedication the Leafs are missing from their players.

Trading Schenn was a mistake after all!!
- Scabeh

I don't think it is a slight on The Maple Leaf organization at all. It is the fact that players want to be paid what they think they are worth. It is what it is.

reading between the lines this is what Marner said:

"I want to be a leaf. I can't attend training camp if I don't have a contract but I fully expect Dubas will fold like a cheap suit this summer and so I fully expect to be there. "

I'm surprised more Leaf fans aren't urging the team to explore the trade route, even if the return is somewhat less than four first rounders. A combination of two A-1 prospects to go along with picks and it could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this team. Mitch Marner is a talent but let's be real, he's replaceable. Now is there a team willing to offer such a deal? Anaheim? Kase, Josh Manson, Isac Sunderstum and a pick. Or even just those three would be enough. Plus you save 4M in cap space to try and resign Barrie. Just giving Marner 10M and calling it a day doesn't seem like the best play
- Hardbalz

Just for arguments sake, Marner is replaceable by who? He is a dynamite player and the Leafs leading scorer.

Cool article in the Athletic about Matt Stajan.

Finishing your career with a year in Europe sounds like a pretty awesome thing to do.

Just for arguments sake, Marner is replaceable by who? He is a dynamite player and the Leafs leading scorer.
- sabreadvocate1

OK, as long as it is just for argument's sake:

Leafs were 4th in the league in goals for last year, while they were 20th in the league in goals against.

Marner was playing all year with Tavares - an elite centre who can increase the point totals of anyone he plays with.

So you trade Marner for improved defence. Somebody slides up the depth chart on wing.

We score 15 less goals, but prevent 16 goals scored on us - so we have improved.

Just for argument's sake.

OK, as long as it is just for argument's sake:

Leafs were 4th in the league in goals for last year, while they were 20th in the league in goals against.

Marner was playing all year with Tavares - an elite centre who can increase the point totals of anyone he plays with.

So you trade Marner for improved defence. Somebody slides up the depth chart on wing.

We score 15 less goals, but prevent 16 goals scored on us - so we have improved.

Just for argument's sake.
- Atomic Wedgie

Response to trolling.

Columbus

Jenner
Jones
Savard
Werenski
Anderson
Dubois

All good options

Cool article in the Athletic about Matt Stajan.

Finishing your career with a year in Europe sounds like a pretty awesome thing to do.
- Atomic Wedgie

We always laugh and say said players career is over when they leave the NHL to play in Europe.

But (frank), going to Switzerland? Finland? Austria? As long as it’s not the KHL it would be awesome.

I have a friend who’s played in Austria. They treat him great and he comes home for the Canadian summers. What could be better?

This we agree on.

There is probably next to nothing going on right now. Neither side has any motivation whatsoever. I also think he is signed, probably September.
- Aetherial

He pretty much set the cap up so he can only give Marner 9-10 million.

I think Dubas knows he wants to be a Leaf.

Leafs should just pay up and retain their title of cash cow.
Would be astonishing if he sat out a year. Then to see another top point player leave for nothing like jvr.
- spazzbot

Show this to mommy and daddy - I know its a little late at this point.

Yeah, sure if it is an ELC with tight restrictions or a 1 year deal at the end of the guys career.

These RFA's are setting up their whole future, now.

The agent answer thing is for one reason only. It shelters the players from too much scrutiny or criticism. To believe the agents handle it all is ridiculous.

Besides the player is the boss, NOT the agent. Absolutely anything that agent does on the player's behalf is subject to approval by the player. Do you think Ferris is talking term and dollar with the Leafs and Marner isn't involved?
- Aetherial

I think Marner and his agent have already talked about the term..I dont think they text each other all the time back and forth about it

Pridham, Dubas and Gilman are probably prepping a back up plan if this extends into late October.
If Marner doesn't sign by October 1, let him sit the whole year or trade him.
- PatC80

In light of this,

If an offer sheet is coming, it will happen when the season is underway, when the Leafs cannot match the cap hit and the compensation is not 4 firsts. This will (frank) the Leafs.

That is why he signs in or before training camp, or I think he is traded.

OK, as long as it is just for argument's sake:

Leafs were 4th in the league in goals for last year, while they were 20th in the league in goals against.

Marner was playing all year with Tavares - an elite centre who can increase the point totals of anyone he plays with.

So you trade Marner for improved defence. Somebody slides up the depth chart on wing.

We score 15 less goals, but prevent 16 goals scored on us - so we have improved.

Just for argument's sake.
- Atomic Wedgie

Good points atomic.

OK, as long as it is just for argument's sake:

Leafs were 4th in the league in goals for last year, while they were 20th in the league in goals against.

Marner was playing all year with Tavares - an elite centre who can increase the point totals of anyone he plays with.

So you trade Marner for improved defence. Somebody slides up the depth chart on wing.

We score 15 less goals, but prevent 16 goals scored on us - so we have improved.

Just for argument's sake.
- Atomic Wedgie

Excellent point. As to teaching/training/coaching is it easier to teach a player to defend or teach him how to deke around a team set up a tap in goal?

Just for argument's sake.