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The saga of the restricted free agencies of the NHL has ended. Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs signed a six-year extension worth more than $ 65 million Friday, ending a roller coaster that has been dragging on for months.
The new deal carries an annual average value and a salary cap of $ 10.893 million, making Marner the second highest paid winger in the NHL, straight out of his entry-level contract. It is followed only by Artemi Panarin, who signed in July an agreement of $ 81.5 million over 11 years with the New York Rangers.
Marner, 22, was a first-round pick (fourth overall) of the Leafs in 2015 and has become a two-way elite for Toronto on the wing. He has increased his offensive production in each of his three seasons in the NHL. The addition of the free agent, John Tavares, likely helped drive up Marner's offensive stats in Toronto last season, when he had a career-high goal (26), assisted (68) and points (94). He finished 11th by scoring in the league last season, fifth among the wingers.
The 25-point bump he saw playing alongside Tavares helped Marner earn a lot of money in this off season, although the negotiations were sometimes quite chaotic. Little progress was made throughout the summer, with Marner's camp appearing to be looking for a salary similar to that of Auston Matthews (5 years, $ 11.6 million) in February.
While the Leafs were at an impasse, General Manager Kyle Dubas had to work to free up money and get a figure that would suit both the team's and Marner's interests. It was reported this week that the winger turned down seven- and eight-year bids with an AVA of about $ 11 million, which led the bargaining process to become "tense and personal".
However, discussions apparently began on Friday before Marner finally accepted the six-year contract, giving him a good chance to win another substantial contract around his 28-year season.
Although it does not exactly match Matthews' annual payment, it's still a good deal for Marner – a contract that could potentially be described as overpayment. However, the Leafs retain in the long run one of their most promising young players, avoid wearing the headache of a heist of the season (something they know very well after William Nylander's drama of last year) and advance in the fight. for a Stanley Cup this season.
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