An update on Mitch Marner contract negotiations from NHL insider Darren Dreger

The last time Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was negotiating a contract extension with the team it was an absolute circus. 

Back in 2019 there were nearly daily updates on Marner's future with TSN insider Darren Dreger at the forefront of things. You may recall that those negotiations were rather contentious and in the end Marner ended up earning nearly $11 million annually on a six year deal.

Flash forward to 2024 and things have cooled off considerably.

Marner is a pending unrestricted free agent and can leave the team scot free this upcoming offseason, but Dreger reports that both Marner and the Leafs are negotiating in good faith this time around. That's a stark contrast to Marner's last round of negotiations under former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.

From Dreger on today's edition of Insider Trading:

"There's regular communication between management of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the agent. You do have to give credit to the brass of the Maple Leafs... because they've managed to keep the distraction outside so that Marner can focus on his game which has been lights out this season."

"But as the calendar turns into 2025, time will be of the essence. So, there's going to have to be some definition and direction but right now (there has been) regular communication and open dialogue."

- Darren Dreger

Personally, I think Marner will go down to the wire or will even test the open market. 

As much as he loves playing for the Leafs, it's clear that his priority is earning as much as possible. Frankly, I'd be shocked if he signed before the season concludes. But then again, maybe GM Brad Treliving has a trick up his sleeve. Maybe he has the negotiation tactics that seemed to be lacking with Dubas?