Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is remaining tight-lipped about the status of Mitch Marner's contract negotiations, but the executive has been impressed by the star winger this season.
"Everybody knows what I think of Mitch," he told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "Those things will get dealt with at the right time. But he's playing as well as anyone in the league right now, in my opinion."
Marner can become an unrestricted free agent next summer upon the expiry of his six-year, $65.41-million contract and has been eligible to sign a new extension since July 1.
He said before the beginning of the campaign that he's open to negotiating in-season with the "goal" of staying in Toronto, but neither he or Treliving have an appetite for making their talks public.
Marner is enjoying a strong start to his contract year, leading the Maple Leafs with 20 assists and 26 points in 20 outings while averaging 21:36 minutes of ice time.
Treliving is particularly impressed with how the forward has stepped up during Auston Matthews' absence. Marner has logged four goals and 12 points to help the Leafs go 6-1 in seven games without the reigning Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner in the mix.
"I don't think Mitch gets enough credit for how good he is," he said. "Like, we all see Mitch as an offensive player, and he's elite with his brain, his skill, his ability to drive play. With Auston out, to me he's put the team on his back a little bit here."
Treliving added, "He recognizes - especially in this situation, where we are going through injuries with a lot of offensive players out - he's got to take on more."
Matthews, Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, and the suspended Ryan Reaves were all out of the lineup for Wednesday's 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Matthew Knies joined Toronto's list of unavailable players after exiting that contest with an upper-body injury. He's ruled out of Sunday's clash with Utah.
The Maple Leafs were struggling with center depth even before the injuries started piling up. Rookie Fraser Minten served as the third-line center against the Golden Knights, while Pontus Holmberg was moved to second-line pivot.
"I don't think it’s crazy talk to say that’s an area that we’ll try to address," Treliving said. "Trying to find the right fit, trying to find the right player, and then is it better than what you have right now?"
Toronto currently sits in first place of the Atlantic Division with a 12-6-2 record and .650 points percentage.
