The Mitch Marner saga is over. The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally signed their star winger, announcing that they have signed Marner to a six-year deal that carries an AAV of $10.893MM, the seventh-highest in the league. The deal buys out his remaining four years of restricted free agent eligibility as well as two years of UFA status.
PuckPedia reports that the breakdown of the deal is as follows:
2019-20: $700K base salary, $15.3MM signing bonus
2020-21: $700K base salary, $14.3MM signing bonus
2021-22: $750K base salary, $9.608MM signing bonus
2022-23: $750K base salary, $7.25MM signing bonus
2023-24: $750K base salary, $7.25MM signing bonus
2024-25: $750K base salary, $7.25MM signing bonus
The 22-year-old is coming off of a career season across the board after posting 26 goals and 68 assists; his 94 points ranked 11th in the league (fifth among wingers) while leading the team in scoring. He also added two goals and two assists in the postseason. The fourth overall pick back in 2015, Marner sits third in scoring from that draft class behind the top two picks in Connor McDavid (Edmonton) and Jack Eichel (Buffalo).
Accordingly, Marner was believed to be seeking a contract comparable to that of teammate Auston Matthews, who inked a five-year deal with a cap hit of $11.634MM last season. He ultimately came up short of that but sets a new market benchmark for restricted free agent wingers while checking in as the second-highest-paid winger in the league behind Artemi Panarin of the Rangers.
As the top RFA in this class, many expected that other free agents were waiting to see what Marner got before working to finalize their own contract. With that now done, it will be worth watching to see if that helps move the needle for other wingers such as Mikko Rantanen (Colorado), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary), plus Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor (Winnipeg), among others.
With this deal, the Maple Leafs now have over $40MM tied up in four forwards between Marner, Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander. The first three of those are all in the top-seven in the league in cap hit which will make them a very intriguing team to keep an eye on as they work to remain in salary cap compliance. This type of salary structure has never really been seen so many teams will be looking to see how they’re able to work within it.
When it comes to the upcoming year, they will be making full use of LTIR this season with Nathan Horton ($5.3MM) and David Clarkson ($5.25MM) both heading on there for the entire year. However, CapFriendly projects them as currently being more than $13MM above the Upper Limit at this time so there is likely more work that needs to be done. Winger Zach Hyman and defenseman Travis Dermott are both expected to be injured to start the season and if they’re projected to miss at least three weeks, they can also start on LTIR which would allow Toronto to get under to start the year although they would need to make some moves when those players are ready to return.
Regardless of the salary cap implications, GM Kyle Dubas has to be pleased that he was able to get Marner signed before the season gets underway. In doing so, he avoids the risk of talks running well into the season as they did with Nylander a year ago. Had that happened, Marner’s AAV for this season would have been higher than $10.893MM which likely provided another impetus to get something done before the puck drops on the start of the season on October 2nd. With his deal now complete, it will be interesting to see how quickly the other dominoes around the league will fall.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report a deal had been agreed upon while TSN’s Darren Dreger was the first to report the cap hit.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
About damn time
Well good bye cap space you were fun while you were here
i mean this is a pretty justified usage of it
thank you for common sense haha.
yea as long as your not Arizona or Ottawa your usually spending to the cap, an this is extremely justified use of it. Who helps the team more on the ice Marner or 10 million in MLS’s pocket.
Not a religious person by no means, but Hallelujah! as mentioned above about damn time!
Like I said he wasn’t going anywhere ! Bout time Amazing talent great guy!
Told ya Gerald!
Nylander makes too much money. That’s the one the leafs are going to regret.
1-2 years from now with the skyrocketing market on young players that nylander contract could be a steal
ruckus,
Agreed !
big daddy,
Lol steal my _ _ _ no show last reg season/playoffs!
Nylander at 6.9 is already a fine deal,and could be dealt easily whenever the leafs wanted so it’s a non issue really
Why hasn’t anybody mentioned that this amounts to a (bogus) “hometown discount” from the $11MM x 7/8 he was originally offered? He didn’t do his image any favors, but his worth will be closer (relatively) for those $$$ than Willy Ny, The Coaster Guy. Remember, the cap isn’t going to double anytime soon. Now let’s see how many of the rest of the RFAs try to use him as their comparable.
Thanks Marner , was gonna pick on you but had to take care of somethings outside. I was just hoping it would clear up soon so others were waiting for Marner to sign, I like him , just didn’t want to see another Nylander scenario with him, no hard feelings. Now other RFA’s can get signed since ball is rolling, Laine , Connor, hopefully Point and others , Let’s play Hockey
Winnipeg gonna be hurting with Laine and Conner signings…one of them
Might walk or have to take a bridge deal.
No show in playoffs for two years now, is that the Nylander that’s going to be a steal??
The guy won’t enter a corner – if another player is close. You can have him for 7m!
Good luck trying to get a defence you can win with next year.
Ahh, speaking of defence,,can’t wait to see how many relics u wheel out there this year,,,,lol,,,,u had a great run!, no doubt!,,,maybe the front office should just go 50-50 with the Red Sox,,,,,split the painful cost of the next few years
loved that Kadri hit
what’s the bruins top for rn?
dusted off grampa Chara, Krug , then what Grezlyck an Kempfer LOL john Moore? Have fun with that
what’s the bruins top four rn?
dusted off grampa Chara, Krug , then what Grezlyck an Kempfer LOL john Moore? Have fun with that
I think it’s a bit early to be operating under the impression that Carlo and McAvoy won’t be there to start the season…
Gerald,
What the weeds growing in the Hawks net??? It wasn’t gonna ever happen . We both know he played for the Knights and is from the area! He was never signing elsewhere. Cant wait who cares about 2 of those 3 but good POINT!
Bruin,
No show wtf series were you watching top player at least first 3-4 games . Takes more then one player on a team! Course he won’t vs Chara would you gutless wonder. Want Lucic back?? Signed for 10 plus so .
At least your last comment made some sense!
Neighbors having a lovers spat down the road, and almost had a royal street rumble fun on the river with some spirits thrown in had ring side seat, no weeds growing in Hawks net at least Chicago got good insurance piece in net with Lehner in case Crawford has any setbacks. yeah like Point better than the other two I mentioned, glad the Leafs can get back to normal and get some players healthy and can with Boston having issues on back end and a bad contract in Backes , believe Toronto will move ahead of them in standings. like some of moves Leafs made this year. and some of youngsters on Defense. As a Hawk fan from Tennessee will root for Leafs in East. Would like to see Bracco get some time as liked him as seen lot of Marlie games on NHL Network.
Had to sign soon as his reputation has taken a beating. Have to believe he was the victim of greed from his agent and his overbearing father. Still, he won. He is not worth that kind of money and the Leafs are cap paralyzed now. Good bye to Nylander after this year.
Da,
Not worth the money go smoke another one clearly you haven’t watched one of the most entertaining players in the league !
No winger is worth that money. If you actually watched the game, you would have seen how ineffective he was in the playoffs when the refs put away their whistles. For this team, the playoffs is all that matters.
dalrob,
Apparantly Mitch is hence what he signed for. I do watch as many Leaf games as possible. If you actually knew what you we’re talking about then I would show you some respect. Marner has been the best LEAF the last 2 playoffs by far! He has outproduced both Matthews and Nylander who everyone seems to have a love fest for these too. Well likely more Matthews. The kid weighs listed at 175lbs which is likely a stretch of 15lbs or less lol. 17pts in 20 career playoff games. It’s other players on the team that need to show up more. What do you want him to do go around trying to knock Chara on his back? Your in here commenting on a Leafs forum. Are you even a Leafs fan???
Gerald,
Quite the night. Agreed not sure you can rely on Robin without Batman. Can’t stand backes always after Toews he is . Will see, Vols fan? Agreed but don’t see how he will unless injuries.
Maybe from Tennessee but not a Vols fan will disagree with you on that one yuk the Vols . yeah when Backes was with Blues in same division you are right he did take some cheap shots at Toews, but then Hawks had some butt kickers kicking his back side few times back then. Female riverrat got the best of guy tough ole’ gals here more scared of them than guys. Hope both Leafs and Hawks have good years. kick the Bruins butt up there.
Gerald,
Smart , Tar Heels for me in basketball, Iowa Hawkeyes football. If my memory serves me correct they’ve also fought a few times. Loved the treat with eager and Burrish they sure could dish it out! I think they both will makes for a better league when 2 of the original 6 do well.Will do our best every team has a team they haven’t gotten by and it’s Toronto’s time to finally beat Boston come playoff time.
I root for anyone who beats the Yankees in Baseball, or Cowboys in Football and the Lakers, call me a hater if you wish have been called worse, I am a true follower for many years of the Black Hawks but in general just enjoy watching the NHL but when Hawks are on regardless of outcome and had to wait many moons for their run of 3 cups in 8 years.
Gerald,
I hear ya. Red Sox fan hear hate the Yankees! The jailbirds aka America teams can’t stand, Steelers for me. I’ll call you smart I too hate the Lakers , Gsw/Celtics fan. I started cheering for the Hawks when I saw Toews. Huge follower of lots of London Knights players hence the connection there . 3 great runs hopefully more to come
Will stand for the Hawks , pray that Leafs take the East. Forgot to mention I am a hater of the New England Patriots as well. get rid of those hideous uniforms , and go back to old style helmets and uni’s I may change my mind, doubtful thou. guess am fan of the Indians in baseball, haven’t followed no one in football in a long time just watch when other teams like Pats, Titans, or Cowboys aren’t on tv here it’s all they show here, sorry not a basketball fan just when the Lakers fall on their face. however beats the Lakers they are my team for night, til their next loss.
Gerald,
I too hate the Pats. I hear ya
Gerald,
I’d like that very much . I too can’t stand the pats. I’m a Steelers fan. I dispose the Lakers I’m a GSW/Celtics fan. Love the job Tito is doing in Cleveland mad respect for that guy! That sucks we get a lot of Steelers,Seahawks, pats,bills.
Thanks Marner, was looking at injury list of teams and found a site called CBC , more in depth than others , I know Leafs have Hyman and Dermott banged up a little but have few young players and key utility guys recently acquired and was reading on the Boys from Bean Town, and with uncertainty of McAvoy and Carlo in contract talks status on season opener unknown I noticed they have a bunch of players but with Chara , Miller , and Moore most likely not being on opening roster so Defensive unit may have a bunch of unknown players to open the season , guess your not worried about Nordstrom not much offensive upside , Bergeron may be back. Guess site is out of Canada very informative site , so may look better for Toronto in standings for a little while, thought that will make things better for your team. Since you are a Leafs fan , do you know status on Jeremy Bracco of making team , see a lot of AHL games on NHL Network with the Marlies he is a good player will he be with Leafs anytime soon.
link to stats.cbc.ca
Gerald,
Mcavoy just signed . Bergeron is a beauty one of the best two way players I’ve seen mad respect for that guy. Honestly I haven’t seen a lot of him doubt he’s roster worthy this year maybe a callup.
link to capfriendly.com There ya go gerald
No one cares who you have mad respect for when you admittedly have mad respect for Doug Gilmour, the pedophile.