TSN Insider Drops Surprising Update On Mitch Marner's Maple Leafs Future

The talk has been ongoing ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs (again) by the Boston Bruins. It's time to 'break up the Core Four' and trade Mitch Marner' went the chorus from Leafs fans.

Marner is going into the final year of his contract and there have been more reports this summer about trade rumors than anything to do with extension talks. But on Monday morning, insider Darren Dreger suggested on TSN 1050 that there is a "good appetite from both sides" to get a long-term extension figured out.

A long-term extension is a possibility. I believe that's what Marner wants. And I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are keenly interested in that, provided that it makes long-term sense.
I think they're in a good place... They are happy for it to be quiet. There's good dialogue between (Marner's agent) Darren Ferris and (Leafs GM) Brad Treliving, they've got a good relationship. But they're not in heavy negotiations and both sides are OK with that. Not to say that that can't ramp up at some point in-season, but there doesn't appear to be a rush at this stage.
But I do think there's a good appetite on both sides to get something done.

Marner is wrapping up a six-year contract this season, with a $10.9 million cap hit. As one of the top 15 points-per-game players in the league for several years now, and one of the top playmaking forwards, plus penalty killers, he will be due for a raise.

One thing working in the Leafs' favour is that John Tavares and his $11 million cap hit will come off the books after this season (whether he will be re-signed for a much lower rate is another story for another day).

With a new head coach in Craig Berube, it'll be fascinating to see what kind of season Marner (and the Leafs) have, and whether they try to hammer out an extension before the playoffs — as that is the time that Marner and the team must really earn their keep.

For now, however, nothing is close, per Dreger, and both sides seem to be fine with that.