This week, TSN’s First Up team sparked an interesting conversation among sports commentators, insiders, and hosts about who the Toronto Maple Leafs should sign. Assuming the squad could only sign one player, who had a better probability of staying with the team after the upcoming season? The hosts expected hockey guru Chris Johnston to break the stalemate.
Both Tavares and Marner’s contracts expire in 2024-25. Tavares recently gave up his captaincy to Auston Matthews and may sign a team-friendly contract. Meanwhile, Marner has more great years ahead of him, but he’s likely looking for a huge payday. He’s the more elite player at this stage of his career, but he’ll be expensive.
Who does the organization keep?
Here are the justifications for each, followed by a forecast of who I feel will be a Maple Leaf in 2025 and beyond.
John Tavares Is More Affordable.
Despite the reality that he is unlikely to perform at the same high level as Marner, John Tavares continues to contribute, albeit at a lower rate. The idea is that he’ll sign a team-friendly contract that may be a fraction of his current $11 million contract, which could be beneficial to the Leafs as they try to manage their salary cap situation properly.
Chris Johnston chose Tavares because he was unsure whether the Leafs could accommodate the type of deal Marner was looking for. Tavares, too, was a gamer when he gave up his leadership and did so with grace. Johnston stated that he handled it well and is very determined to stay in Toronto. There’s much to be said for recognizing a player who has demonstrated nothing but commitment and professionalism throughout his career, especially if he is prepared to continue making sacrifices.
Marner is too good to simply let leave.
Frank Corrado leaned towards Marner, implying that his standing as one of the NHL’s finest right wingers was enough to chose him over Tavares. If things change in the playoffs and the Maple Leafs succeed, Marner will be a vital player and can argue that he deserves what he wants. Even if the Leafs do not succeed, there is concern that Marner would win with another team during their playoff run, which would be disastrous for the Maple Leafs.
Corrado appears to be following the FOMO (fear of missing out) idea. His case that losing Marner’s production would be too expensive for the Leafs is compelling enough to match Marner’s possibly exorbitant price demands. Essentially, if you have the superior player, try to keep him.
Maple Leafs Likely Keep Tavares.
Knowing I can’t have both in this scenario (though I definitely would if I could), I’ll go with Tavares as the Maple Leafs’ mainstay. As much as Marner wants to stay in Toronto, if money becomes the main obstacle in both sets of negotiations, Tavares will be more willing to compromise.
The Maple Leafs do not have to sign him to a long-term contract, and they will receive him for a significantly reduced price. This is not a case like Steven Stamkos’ in Tampa Bay, where the player feels slighted. This is an agreement between two parties that finding a solution is what both parties want, but the player will have to make a sacrifice to stay. Marmer may not be as pleased with the number of teams that will come calling, a bigger salary cap that will result in an offer too tempting to refuse and one that the Maple Leafs may not match.
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