So the agent of the player who struggles when the pressure gets cranked up in the playoffs is saying they aren't looking at trade options (not surprising) nor any extension this summer? The 2nd part makes zero sense, I can't see Marner wanting to have this play out as a distraction all season long.

Either the quote is a partial one to build a narrative (this is what I think it more likely is than anything) or Marner has just grown up to make stupid decisions on his own (or has been convinced by someone like Daddy and agent that this is the path to a fat new contract.

IF this is true regardless of who crafted this plan it is insanely risky IMO because unlike Nylander who has a "I Don't GAF" attitude, Marner wears his emotions on his sleeve.

If the pitch/thought was 'let it cool down and the fans forget about the playoffs when you rack up points in the regular season we can easily get the fans on our side and you will get the huge raise you want/we have convinced you that you deserve Mitch because the Leafs will be the bad guys if they don't give it to you just like last time" then this will be some grade A soap opera of a season - especially if Marner struggles at all.

This can't be true - Marner seems like the type who would want to start the year without this being something he gets asked about endlessly. Guess we will see.
- Cush29

I have to believe this line of thinking, if it's his idea, will fail.. Fans are not just going to forget the past 7 playoff performances. Marner is not going to turn into some type of physical player that isn't afraid of contact. If he goes into the season without a contract, or a trade, he'll be in a for a rough year from the fans... Myself included.

Lebrun quoting his agent isn't much?
- AdamFrench

If its the full quote and not misrepresented
Either way, its june. Not much to it right now

Thanks change

sounds like a fun season on pissing off the fans



if there is any truth to this
- senstroll

Darren Ferris is not an easy agent to deal with. I wouldn't expect him to be any easier now. As an agent it's said that he advises his clients to leverage the terms of their contract (NMCs, NTCs, etc.) unless it's in the client's best interest to waive.

Ferris has a few big name clients. From what I can tell he has 22 clients and most of them are younger or not quite established enough to demand trade protection (like Evan Rodrigues or Andreas Athanasiou - you know them, they're decent, but if they demanded trade protection - as a GM, you'd just look elsewhere for those same skills).

He has Sam Bennett coming up as a UFA this year - who has never had protection before, but will certainly have it going forward.

But of his existing clients, Zach Bogosian had it for 4 years with Toronto and Tampa and never waived it - he was never asked nor considered as someone who should, insofar as I'm aware.

Nazem Kadri had an M-NTC with Toronto and did use it to veto a trade to Calgary.

Josh Anderson has an M-NTC with Montreal that kicked in year 2 of his current contract with them. He, obviously, also hasn't waived it.

He does, however, have Taylor Hall - who waived his NMC with Buffalo to move to Boston - which just made sense - but then quizzically waived his NMC with Boston to move to Chicago - which I definitely found strange.

And of course he has Marner. If the Leafs really, really wanted to move on from Marner they should find out what Boston said to Hall to convince him to accept a trade to bottom-feeder Chicago. Kidnap his mom? Threaten his dog? Inject an explosive into his cranium?

Or the Leafs can keep Marner and see if a new coach with a new style can change this team for the better. Moving the puck around the perimeter only looks pretty for so long. You still need to get it inside and have bodies inside to do something with it.

I have to believe this line of thinking, if it's his idea, will fail.. Fans are not just going to forget the past 7 playoff performances. Marner is not going to turn into some type of physical player that isn't afraid of contact. If he goes into the season without a contract, or a trade, he'll be in a for a rough year from the fans... Myself included.
- PatC80

Marner isn’t negotiating with the fans. It seems that he thinks the best place to play in the last year of his contract is here. A good year improves his prospects either in free agency or in a new deal with the Leafs. He can also get a sense of what it’s like playing for Berube. It’s the logical move IMO

I have to believe this line of thinking, if it's his idea, will fail.. Fans are not just going to forget the past 7 playoff performances. Marner is not going to turn into some type of physical player that isn't afraid of contact. If he goes into the season without a contract, or a trade, he'll be in a for a rough year from the fans... Myself included.
- PatC80

No he wont.
Marner played with an edge, blocking shots and taking hits several years ago.. He had a bad playoffs.
Matthews has 2 goals in the past 10 playoff games....where is the concern for that?
If Marner plays well during the season, all who are whining now wont be saying much and if they are it will be on deaf ears. Just like with willie this past season.

Marner isn’t negotiating with the fans. It seems that he thinks the best place to play in the last year of his contract is here. A good year improves his prospects either in free agency or in a new deal with the Leafs. He can also get a sense of what it’s like playing for Berube. It’s the logical move IMO
- Canada Cup

Yup.
But logic doesnt always play well in here.

We'll see how it goes.

The agent is going to do/say whatever he needs to in order to drive up the price.

and implying that Marner would be fine walking for nothing and then making a decision as a UFA is easily the best way to do that.

who flinches first?
- senstroll

The player can (and should) determine the path the agent takes or the tactics the agent uses since the agent represents the player. I'm actually not sure that implying Marner is fine walking for nothing is the best way to maximize Marner's next deal with any team as it may give teams reason to pause but who really knows.

Personally I'd let him walk as a UFA vs cave in (again) and overpay on an extension - it's not like the Leafs don't have talent already and it sets a pretty dangerous precedence (not that the Leafs are seen as shrewd negotiators) for the new GM.

IF the report is true how sick of hearing about this will we all be this season? lol

No he wont.
Marner played with an edge, blocking shots and taking hits several years ago.. He had a bad playoffs.
Matthews has 2 goals in the past 10 playoff games....where is the concern for that?
If Marner plays well during the season, all who are whining now wont be saying much and if they are it will be on deaf ears. Just like with willie this past season.
- Fakepartofme

Well other than the ones this year where he played sick (5 of the last 10) he played alongside Marner and still didn’t produce.

Marner is done in Toronto, it’s just the when he goes that’s the question at this point.

So the agent of the player who struggles when the pressure gets cranked up in the playoffs is saying they aren't looking at trade options (not surprising) nor any extension this summer? The 2nd part makes zero sense, I can't see Marner wanting to have this play out as a distraction all season long.

Either the quote is a partial one to build a narrative (this is what I think it more likely is than anything) or Marner has just grown up to make stupid decisions on his own (or has been convinced by someone like Daddy and agent that this is the path to a fat new contract.

IF this is true regardless of who crafted this plan it is insanely risky IMO because unlike Nylander who has a "I Don't GAF" attitude, Marner wears his emotions on his sleeve.

If the pitch/thought was 'let it cool down and the fans forget about the playoffs when you rack up points in the regular season we can easily get the fans on our side and you will get the huge raise you want/we have convinced you that you deserve Mitch because the Leafs will be the bad guys if they don't give it to you just like last time" then this will be some grade A soap opera of a season - especially if Marner struggles at all.

This can't be true - Marner seems like the type who would want to start the year without this being something he gets asked about endlessly. Guess we will see.
- Cush29

Marner simply tells the media, that once the season starts, he wont answering any questions about his contract.
Done.
Its expected with the different playing style, the whole team could take a step back on individual points until they adjust.

Marner isn’t negotiating with the fans. It seems that he thinks the best place to play in the last year of his contract is here. A good year improves his prospects either in free agency or in a new deal with the Leafs. He can also get a sense of what it’s like playing for Berube. It’s the logical move IMO
- Canada Cup

I don't think it will be.. Leaf fans are always looking for someone to blame.. I can see him getting the "Larry Murphy" treatment.

No he wont.
Marner played with an edge, blocking shots and taking hits several years ago.. He had a bad playoffs.
Matthews has 2 goals in the past 10 playoff games....where is the concern for that?
If Marner plays well during the season, all who are whining now wont be saying much and if they are it will be on deaf ears. Just like with willie this past season.
- Fakepartofme

Are you saying Marner played well several years ago?

Marner simply tells the media, that once the season starts, he wont answering any questions about his contract.
Done.
Its expected with the different playing style, the whole team could take a step back on individual points until they adjust.
- Fakepartofme

lol ya that will for sure stop the Toronto Sports Media from asking about it.

Well other than the ones this year where he played sick (5 of the last 10) he played alongside Marner and still didn’t produce.

Marner is done in Toronto, it’s just the when he goes that’s the question at this point.
- Dozzer

He wasnt sick for 5 games, i beleieve he said 3.
One of which he scored and had an assist.

Weve heard the "this player is done or gone in Toronto before" storyline....doesnt always pan out. Hell i remember the "Matthews isnt extending in Toronto" crap too.

If the leafs get a great offer and marner decides to waive, he'll get traded. If he decides he wants to stay, he stays.
If he wants more than 11.5/12m per, he can walk on out the door.
This team has done poop with marner, am and willie, trade them all for all i care.

Well other than the ones this year where he played sick (5 of the last 10) he played alongside Marner and still didn’t produce.

Marner is done in Toronto, it’s just the when he goes that’s the question at this point.
- Dozzer

I have to agree with you.. I think his time in Toronto should be coming to an end.

He wasnt sick for 5 games, i beleieve he said 3.
One of which he scored and had an assist.

Weve heard the "this player is done or gone in Toronto before" storyline....doesnt always pan out. Hell i remember the "Matthews isnt extending in Toronto" crap too.

If the leafs get a great offer and marner decides to waive, he'll get traded. If he decides to he wants to stay, he stays.
If he wants more than 11.5/12m per, he can walk on out the door.
This team has done poop with marner, am and willie, trade them all for all i care.
- Fakepartofme

Also, Matthews and the team said he took a weird hit, wasn't he out for concussion protocol?

lol ya that will for sure stop the Toronto Sports Media from asking about it.

- Cush29

Ya it did with willie.
He didnt get many questions during the season.
The Toronto sports media are soft, they rarely ask tough questions and usually fall in line pretty quickly.
So dont slap your head too hard, you'll get a headache.

lol ya that will for sure stop the Toronto Sports Media from asking about it.

- Cush29

but he asked nicely

Also, Matthews and the team said he took a weird hit, wasn't he out for concussion protocol?
- PatC80

I believe he did during the game he played well.
He was ill with something, then got hit and symptoms got worse due to being woozy or something like that.
If my i remember correctly, which I may not be.

The player can (and should) determine the path the agent takes or the tactics the agent uses since the agent represents the player. I'm actually not sure that implying Marner is fine walking for nothing is the best way to maximize Marner's next deal with any team as it may give teams reason to pause but who really knows.

Personally I'd let him walk as a UFA vs cave in (again) and overpay on an extension - it's not like the Leafs don't have talent already and it sets a pretty dangerous precedence (not that the Leafs are seen as shrewd negotiators) for the new GM.

IF the report is true how sick of hearing about this will we all be this season? lol
- Cush29

im already sick of it.

But if you can make the team think the player may walk for nothing. that is the best way to eek out a bit more money. he wants to stay, but has to give the illusion he may walk. its about getting the most from the Leafs. thats all

some players dont get involved. they just let the agent handle it.

im already sick of it.

But if you can make the team think the player may walk for nothing. that is the best way to eek out a bit more money. he wants to stay, but has to give the illusion he may walk. its about getting the most from the Leafs. thats all

some players dont get involved. they just let the agent handle it.
- senstroll

I believe this happens in most cases in most sports

He wasnt sick for 5 games, i beleieve he said 3.
One of which he scored and had an assist.

Weve heard the "this player is done or gone in Toronto before" storyline....doesnt always pan out. Hell i remember the "Matthews isnt extending in Toronto" crap too.

If the leafs get a great offer and marner decides to waive, he'll get traded. If he decides to he wants to stay, he stays.
If he wants more than 11.5/12m per, he can walk on out the door.
This team has done poop with marner, am and willie, trade them all for all i care.
- Fakepartofme

He’s going to cost more than 11.5/12… that would only be a 600K-1.1mil raise for the first time signing as a UFA. It will be at least $2 mill.

And I don’t care whatever anyone said about Matthews, don’t defend Marner with that nonsense. I mean even if Matthews was better feeling for two games anyone who thinks it means he felt perfect is a lunatic.

And I also promise what you consider a valid move is way above what actually is. If he’s dealt it won’t happen til after July 1st tho, no team is going to take him when the leafs will need to pay $7.25 mill as a bonus making his salary nothing more than $775K. However if the leafs don’t promise to resign him he might want to go so he can sign an 8 year deal plain and simple.

I have to agree with you.. I think his time in Toronto should be coming to an end.
- PatC80

It’s done, he’s not a physical player so he doesn’t match his new coach’s game plain and simple. How much longer is the only question.

Ya it did with willie.
He didnt get many questions during the season.
The Toronto sports media are soft, they rarely ask tough questions and usually fall in line pretty quickly.
So dont slap your head too hard, you'll get a headache.
- Fakepartofme

Right because Willy was the one who has told the media here that he doesn't care what they think or write....oh wait nevermind.

If you think the media (say Steve Simmonds for instance) are just going to say "oh ok Mitch we won't ask about that question every fan of this team is wondering about" I have to say I think of all the illogical things on here that one wins the prize for today so far.

im already sick of it.

But if you can make the team think the player may walk for nothing. that is the best way to eek out a bit more money. he wants to stay, but has to give the illusion he may walk. its about getting the most from the Leafs. thats all

some players dont get involved. they just let the agent handle it.
- senstroll

Agreed and it's pathetic and soft that they do and their agent may sell it as the agent will be the bad guy and the player can claim they aren't involved but the player will still wear some of the stink of that type of thing IMO.

I don't think it will be.. Leaf fans are always looking for someone to blame.. I can see him getting the "Larry Murphy" treatment.
- PatC80

Why would he booed if he continues to rack up points at a greater rate than just about any player in Leaf history? SBA is filled with fans looking for goals and great plays not trades.