The Maple Leafs continue to talk with Marner’s camp
Kristen Shilton: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said that contract talks with Mitch Marner’s reps are ongoing and that Leafs are not sharing any of the details: “The Dreger Café got it kicked back up when it landed back in North America, which is fine, but there won’t be anything coming from us.”
- Darren Dreger: “Full disclosure, Dubas was happy to visit the Dreger Cafe in Slovakia, but because of the Marlies, etc, the Leafs GM couldn’t make the trip.”
Mike Zeisberger: Dubas on the possibility of offer sheets to Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen, or Andreas Johnsson. He said that they are ready if it happens and: “We don’t want to leave ourselves exposed to the actions of an irrational actor in the marketplace — another team that has the ability to do something that’s crazy.”
Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com: Maple Leafs GM Dubas and Mitch Marner’s agent Darren Ferris met in Buffalo at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine.
Dubas says he hopes Marner can be a Maple Leaf for his entire career and that is what they are trying to work towards.
“We’re going to keep working with Darren to move this along and progress it ahead and come to an agreement which will make Mitch feel like he’s compensated at the level he’s deserved and us with a way to navigate our way ahead. I think if we’re all willing to work towards it we’ll get there. That’s what we have the time for here.”
Dubas on the speculation that Marner and his camp will be talking to teams during the free agent interview period if the sides don’t have a contract in place by the draft.
“I don’t know if that’s ever happened with a restricted free agent. So I would be surprised. And I’ve never been led to believe that’s the preferred destination or outcome. We’ll see.”
Dubas acknowledges that it’s a possibility that Marner talks with other teams. Some teams won’t have the salary cap space and the appropriate draft picks, some teams will.
“As a management group, our focus has been on finding contract resolutions with Mitch and Johnsson and Kapanen.”