Marner became eligible to sign an extension on July 1 and is five months away from hitting free agency.

Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been the focus of significant speculation drawing back to the summer, particularly as he inches closer to unrestricted free agency.

Eligible to sign a contract extension since July 1, Marner has yet to reach an agreement with the Leafs, leaving only five months before he could hit the open market as he continues to play in the final season of his current six-year, $65.4 million contract.

The conversation around Marner’s situation has drawn comparisons to Mikko Rantanen’s recent trade from the Colorado Avalanche this past weekend. Both star forwards are in the final year of their respective contracts and have been consistent point producers this season – Marner with 53 assists and 68 points in 50 games, and Rantanen with 64 points before his trade.

But as NHL insider Darren Dreger explained on TSN’s First Up on Monday, the situations are fundamentally different. 

“It is different. Mitch Marner has full protection; he would have to waive (his no-trade clause),” Dreger said. “And I would submit, why would he? Where are his chances better at potentially winning a Stanley Cup? I mean, we don’t know that yet, do we?”

Unlike Marner, Rantanen’s contract included a nine-team no-trade list, giving the Avalanche more flexibility in trade negotiations. When Colorado and Rantanen couldn’t come to terms on an extension, the team decided to move the star forward to avoid losing him for practically nothing in free agency.

The blockbuster trade saw Rantanen and Taylor Hall head to the Carolina Hurricanes, Martin Necas and Jack Drury join the Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks receive a third-round pick while retaining 50% of Rantanen’s $9.25 million cap hit.

Dreger emphasized that in addition to Marner’s full no-trade clause, the 27-year-old seems to be comfortable as a Maple Leaf and keen on remaining in Toronto for the long haul.

“We can look at recent history and say ‘Okay well sure, Florida, what about Vegas?’ Those teams may or may not be a player of significance leading up to the trade deadline so I don’t see it, I really don’t,” explained Dreger.

“And here is the number one reason why I don’t see it. I think that Toronto very much wants to sign Marner and by all indications he wants to stay and be a life-long Toronto Maple Leaf,” he added.

For Marner, the desire to stay in Toronto seems genuine. Dreger noted that if Marner were to approach Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to start negotiations, the process could begin immediately.

“It’s just the business side is what complicates it most but I can assure you one thing; if Mitch Marner decided today being Monday that he wanted to schedule a meeting with Brad Treliving and get the ball rolling, they’d get the ball rolling immediately to sign him,” said Dreger.

The Rantanen blockbuster added an extra layer to the situation. At the same time, perhaps it has ignited a spark to get the gears turning on negotiations between Marner and the Leafs once again.

Nearly seven months have passed since the Markham, Ontario, native became eligible to extend, but Dreger’s thoughts on Monday suggest both sides remain motivated to work something out.

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