How Draisaitl Deal Changes Marner’s Contract Talks with Maple Leafs – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The recent announcement of Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers will officially make Draisaitl the highest paid player in the NHL. While the Oilers have protected their star for a long time, the ripple effects of this deal could be felt far beyond Edmonton—and especially in Toronto, where Mitch Marner’s camp may want a contract similar to Draisaitl’s, with an average annual value (AAV) of $14 million.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared on Sportsnet Radio 590 that Marner’s camp, which was initially rumored to be looking at a $12 million AAV, may have changed its mind regarding the Draisaitl deal. The question becomes, is Marner worth more? And, should he want more, should the Maple Leafs be worried?

Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Pay $14 Million To Marner, Should They?

If the Toronto Maple Leafs were to meet the new price tag, Marner would be one of the highest paid players in the league. However, this potential contract could have a major impact on the Leafs’ salary cap flexibility, forcing the team to make a tough call.

For Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving, it wasn’t an easy decision to make. Marner is a key player for the Leafs and losing him will sting. However, committing $14 million a year to Marner would increase the club’s chances of maintaining a balanced and competitive roster.

Related: Can Oilers Keep Both Draisaitl and McDavid? Friedman helps celebrate

Marner is definitely not Draisaitl. Comparing the playoff performances of the two players makes the Oilers different in a very important way. Draisaitl has been dominant in the postseason, averaging 1.46 points per game (PPG) in the playoffs. In contrast, Marner’s playoff production stands at 0.88 PPG, making him nearly 60% productive. If the Maple Leafs were to argue that playoff performance is a significant factor in determining what Marner should be paid, his adjusted salary based on this comparison, would be significantly less.

Another Reporter Says Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Feature in Draisaitl’s Feast

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun highlights the big differences between Draisaitl and Marner when trying to figure out if the two are comparable. Simmons suggests that Draisaitl’s ability to score, pass, compete, and lead his team deep into the playoffs makes his $14 million AAV seem almost like a bargain for the Oilers. His playoff performance ranks him fifth in PPG, behind legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Connor McDavid.

On the other hand, while Marner was a regular season player, his playoff contributions were less impactful.

As a result, Simmons writes that the Leafs should wait. The Oilers know what they have in Draisaitl — both in the regular season and the playoffs — but the Maple Leafs need to know what they have in Marner. Simmons writes of the Draisaitl deal, “It’s not a point of measurement, on average, of what Draisaitl is paid. It’s a point of comparison. “

He adds:

In the world of hockey, the 14 billion Draisaitl signed will now be used as a gauge for everyone from their second contracts. Marner should come in somewhere between the $10.9 million he is currently being paid and less than the $14 million Draisaitl will make.

source – ‘SIMMONS: Leon Draisaitl deal unaffected, Leafs playing waiting game with Mitch Marner’ – Steve Simmons – Toronto Sun – 09/03/2024

The Draisaitl extension arguably changed the nature of Marner’s contract negotiations. While Marner’s camp will use Draisaitl’s deal as a benchmark, it remains to be seen if the Leafs will feel compelled to meet him there. Simmons believes that if Marne stays in Toronto, he will get more than he could anywhere else. The Leafs are famous for their high paying players. But, will you get $14 million? Seeing him get anywhere close would mean that he will need to play exceptionally well this season.