Mitch Marner's thrilling hat trick has put the Toronto Maple Leafs in an uncomfortable position
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored a hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night and these kinds of games are putting pressure on the team.
Mitch Marner is in a contract year right now as he attempts to secure a long-term extension that gives him a pay raise from his current $10.9 million per year salary.
Mitch Marner dominates for the Toronto Maple Leafs
So far, the superstar forward has been doing all of the right things in terms of convincing his team that he is worth a big contract.
We say that because in the first 36 games of the season, Marner has scored 13 goals while adding 36 assists for a total of 49 points.
Last night against the Detroit Red Wings, the forward scored a hat trick, and it was yet another example of him being a dominant force on the team.
Auston Matthews has been out with an injury, and as Sportsnet reveals, Marner plays better without the captain in the lineup.
This just proves how valuable Marner is, as he has carried the Leafs on his back for much of the season.
This has created a catch-22 for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they must now have to deal with an ever-increasing price on Mitch Marner's next contract.
Sure, they are getting sensational production from him. However, now, he is likely going to ask for a lot more money and he is justified in doing so.
For now, the Leafs do not know how much the salary cap will go up by and that means they are kind of stuck right now.
Marner recently refused the eight-year contract the Leafs offered him, and it is very likely that he is looking for more money.
Reports suggest he could get between $13 and $14 million on his next deal, which would definitely force the Maple Leafs into having some uncomfortable conversations about letting guys like John Tavares walk.
Such is the cost of doing business when you want offensive superstars on your team.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 28 | 208 ANSWERS Mitch Marner's thrilling hat trick has put the Toronto Maple Leafs in an uncomfortable position Do you believe Mitch Marner will be re-signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 174 | 83.7 % |
| NO | 34 | 16.3 % |
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