Following another early playoff exit, four prominent figures for the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing uncertain futures regarding their contracts.
Come July 1, star forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares could become unrestricted free agents, while power winger Matthew Knies is eligible for restricted free agency. Additionally, team president Brendan Shanahan`s contract is also expiring.
However, in the wake of their recent 6-1 Game 7 defeat to the Florida Panthers on Sunday – marking the core group`s eighth consecutive elimination game loss – attention quickly turned to Marner. The Toronto-born winger`s contract situation has been a persistent discussion point throughout the season.
On Monday`s 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman indicated that Marner would attract `lots of interest` on the free agent market.
Friedman also suggested that his potential return to the Maple Leafs might be complicated.
According to Friedman, “As we sit here right now on Sunday night with the Leafs losing Game 7, there`s a lot of pain, anger, heartbreak, and emotion. I could see how it`s going to be very hard for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner to agree on a deal unless one side significantly alters its bargaining position.”
