On the day that saw Auston Matthews handed a hefty five-year contract extension worth north of $58 million, not everyone is getting the impression the team is looking to pay its stars generously.
With Matthews signed, eyes now turn to pending restricted free agent Mitch Marner. Marner's camp has already gone on record stating they will not negotiate a contract in-season. His agent, Darren Ferris, revealed Tuesday that stance is due to a severe undervaluation by the Maple Leafs in prior discussions.
"So far they've been trying to lowball (Marner)," Ferris said, according to Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star. "That's the reason we've come to this point."
Unlike recent deals signed by Matthews and William Nylander, Ferris said the club has asked Marner to meet it halfway on a team-friendly pact.
"Nobody else is taking a discount. And now you're asking (Marner) to take one again? It's nonsense," Ferris said. "Mitch already did them a favor on the entry-level deal."
When Marner signed his entry-level contract, his camp was told it was team policy not to hand out schedule B bonuses to players, according to Ferris. Just over a year after Marner signed, however, Matthews agreed to a contract that included them.
Speaking Tuesday, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was firm in saying Marner would be with the team long-term. As for Ferris, he insists that when it comes to putting pen to paper, the ball is in the Maple Leafs' court.
"Mitch will get what Mitch is due. But as far as the Maple Leafs, it's up to them how they value him. If it works out with them, it works out," Ferris said. "We'll see at the end of the year what their position is and whether they're motivated to sign Mitch or not. It's totally up to them."
