Toronto Maple Leafs: Would Mitch Marner take this contract?
By James Reeve
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner’s camp appear to still be at a deadlock with his new contract negotiations and it’s largely to do with money.
Mitch Marner wants to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he wants to earn money similar to fellow young superstar Auston Matthews, who will earn around $11.6 million a year over the next five years.
After leading the Leafs in total points with 94 (26 goals, 68 assists), Marner has seemingly dug his heels in to try and force the team into offering him a deal above what they might consider to be market value.
The Leafs seemingly view the 22-year-old winger as a player closer to $10 million than what Matthews earns, and this has led to agent Darren Ferris busting out his usual playbook with threats of the young star heading over to Europe to earn around 5 per cent of his NHL contract demands.
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Two things are clear with Marner’s contract expectations: He doesn’t want to accept a deal in the seven-to-eight years’ range and he wants to be paid like a top player in the league.
So, could this contract offer be of interest to the young Toronto native?
- 2019/20: $6.75m/750k
- 2020/21: $7.75m/750k
- 2021/22: $11.75m/750k
- 2022/23: $11.75m/750k
- 2023/24: $11.75m/750k
- Total Earnings: $53.5 million | AAV/Capt Hit: $10.7 million
A five-year contract that would pay Marner below his market value for the first two years ($7.5m and $8.5m in total respectively) and then three years that pays him well above the value the teams has him at ($12.5 million in total per season).
Give the financial clout of the Maple Leafs, a way they can sweeten the deal for their young star is by paying the majority of the deal in signing bonuses, which have been shown above.
An annual salary of $750,000, close to league minimum, with signing bonuses making up the rest of the total amount would see huge paychecks given to Marner on July 1st every year.
The instant gratification of seeing such large amounts of money hit his bank account should make this kind of deal palatable for him and his persistent father.
With three years earning over $12 million, Marner will actually earn more than Matthews over those three seasons.
Matthews’ deal is front heavy, seeing more money earned earlier in the deal while reducing as the seasons progress – though, once again, the majority of his money is paid in signing bonuses.
With Marner’s money increasing over time, it would satisfy his belief that he is worth more than $10 million while also seeing him earn more during his prime years – further valuing the contributions he will undoubtedly be making during those years.
In total, it would also work for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the annual cap hit would be $10.7 million – lower than the $11 million Marner is reportedly seeking, helping the Leafs to maintain the competitive roster they need in order to compete for the Stanley Cup.
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What do you think though Leafs fans? Would this contract help the Leafs lock up their top points producer from last season? How much would you give Marner? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!