New York Islanders: Mitch Marner Signs With Toronto Maple Leafs Ends Dream

Mitch Marner has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ending the dream of the New York Islanders landing the prized winger.

He signed. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner has signed a six-year deal. Meaning that the New York Islanders won’t be in for the winger any time soon.

The deal he signed was for six-years worth $65.358 million. That’s a $10.893 million AAV. Yes, the deal is lower than $11 million a year. After all of this back and forth, Mitch Marner has a lower value than $11 million.

So sorry if you had any dreams of the Islanders swooping in for Marner at the last-minute.

Dream is Over

It’s incredible to think that it took this long to get a deal done for Marner and that it falls short of the $11 million AAV. After all, we heard throughout the summer.

We heard constant rumblings that an offer sheet could be made for Marner.

Multiple teams have considered pursuing Marner, including the NY Islanders & Montreal. Hearing Islanders are serious about pursuit, while Canadiens may be focused on Laine. Whether Isles, or another team, move forward with an offer sheet remains to be seen.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 5, 2019

We heard how Marner was comparable to Auston Matthews and would demand the same price tag as the Leafs star center.

Bob on Marner: "If Mikko Rantanen signed tomorrow for $9 million, you know what Mitch Marner is going to say about that? Who cares? That's not my comparable; I choose my comparable. My comparable is Auston Matthews. So pay me. If you don't pay me, I'm not showing up to camp" https://t.co/Bpuu2tCzoY
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) June 19, 2019

Then we got the threat of the Leafs fifth overall pick in 2015 going to play in Switzerland with the Zurich Lions.

Barring a change in contract negotiations, @DarrenDreger expects Mitch Marner to train in Zurich this month. pic.twitter.com/SSsIaxUBmL
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 9, 2019

We also had the Leafs buy a ton of LTIR space over the summer so they could prepare for an offer sheet.

And just earlier this week we heard that the Leafs offered him a seven to an eight-year deal but because the deal had a lower AAV and longer-term than Matthews Marner said no.

TOR has made seven and eight year offers in the $11M AAV universe but because it’s a lower AAV and longer term than Auston Matthews, it hasn’t been palatable to Marner.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 11, 2019

All of that drama and he signs a deal for longer than Matthews and for less money than Matthews. What was all the drama for?

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

With a $10.893 million AAV Marner is now the second-highest-paid winger (based on AAV) after New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin. If Mathew Barzal has another point-per-game year, the Islanders are looking at similar money.