
Maple Leafs GM Treliving expects pending UFA Marner to hit open market
TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving expects star forward Mitch Marner to hit the open market Tuesday unless there’s a drastic change in contract negotiations.
Treliving said Thursday in a pre-NHL draft media availability that the Maple Leafs have communicated with Marner, who will become an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by July 1.
The Maple Leafs can still sign Marner after free agency opens, but lose the right to offer him an eight-year contract. NHL teams can sign players to a maximum of seven years on the open market.
Marner is coming off a career-best 102-point season, the last of a six-year, US$65.4 million contract.