Leafs star Mitch Marner enjoying summer as contract negotiations continue
It’s mid-July, Mitch Marner doesn’t have a new contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs (or another suitor, for that matter) and large portions of the fan base are freaking out.
In typical Marner fashion, however, the 22-year-old star is letting the process play out with minimal involvement, ahead of the 2nd Annual Marner All-Star Invitational.
“It’s still the same as the summer started. My agent’s doing all that. I’m leaving it all to him. For me, I’m just kinda just focusing on this event and just trying to get better this summer, for next year,” Marner said during an appearance on “Tim and Sid”.
“...It’s a place I grew up and I place I would love to give back to… hopefully, something works out”
- Mitch Marner on how important it is to stay in Toronto. #MapleLeafs | #TimandSid pic.twitter.com/VNtf7wMiol— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) July 18, 2019
Marner noted that he’d love to come back to play for his hometown Maple Leafs but revealed it would be unlikely that he’d attend training camp if a new deal isn’t reached in time.
Mitch Marner says he likely would not attend training camp if he does not have a contract in place by then.#Leafs #NHL
— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) July 18, 2019
The Leafs’ winger also deflected when asked about the “elephant in the room” by TSN’s Mark Masters, saying he’ll leave all questions regarding his contract status up to his agent, Darren Ferris.
Masters prompted a follow-up question, asking Marner whether it was the term or money that was more imperative to getting a deal done, and once again, the winger said he’d defer all matters to his agent.
Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas made a number of moves to make the cap slightly more palatable to a long-term deal for Marner, while continuing to field a roster that should be in Cup contention in 2019-20 - provided they can finally oust the Boston Bruins or whomever else emerges in the first round.
Marner has been the top priority all summer, and his camp will continue to keep us waiting, much to the chagrin of Maple Leafs supporters everywhere and to the probable delight of 30 other fan bases.
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