Marner Extension Will Bring “Renaissance in Popularity”, Says Host

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t signed Mitch Marner to a new contract extension yet, but one podcast host and Leafs’ diehard fan believes that a deal will get done, and when it does, will make Marner one of the more popular members of the team moving forward. Arguing that his new contract will be the one that gets naysayers back on his side, Marner will leave money on the table to prioritize getting a deal done that positions him well to outperform his contract.

Fans are speculating about Marner’s potential contract extension, with opinions differing on what the star forward will ultimately sign for. The debate took an interesting turn during a recent episode of the SDPN podcast, where Steve Dangle and Adam Wylde offered two different schools of thought.

Dangle suggested Marner could command around $13.1 million per season, a figure that falls just below Auston Matthews‘ $13.25 million annual salary. This number reflects a rising salary cap and respects Marner’s contributions while maintaining an internal cap that doesn’t go above the star player on the team.

However, Wylde took a different approach, predicting Marner would sign an eight-year deal worth $12.5 million annually. Like Dangle, Wylde argued that the number keeps Marner slightly below Matthews’. He pointed out that the $750,000 annual difference is “nothing to these guys.” From there, he said that a $12.5 million deal could help Marner rebuild his popularity with fans, particularly if he delivers strong playoff performances.

Why Does Being Popular With Maple Leafs Fans Matter for Marner?

Wylde noted that while Marner has faced criticism for a lack of past postseason scoring. His previous label as the most popular Leaf disappeared because he didn’t produce when it mattered most. But, if he takes less than he could clearly get on the open market, and the numbers start to come for Marner in the playoffs, the weight off his shoulders from the fan base would be incredible.

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Wylde also suggested that once Marner is a fan favorite again, his marketability and endorsement potential could make up for any salary difference. By taking a slightly lower cap hit, Marner will be viewed as the superstar who tried to help the Maple Leafs build a winning team, not a star who held out for every penny. It would be a contrast from his last negotiation, which is why he and his agent have said so little this time around.

Marner’s next contract will be pivotal. If he accepts a slightly reduced figure, he’s still going to get $100 million and he’ll get to stay in Toronto, where he ultimately wants to be.

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