Avs star on verge of extension that will have a major impact on Mitch Marner

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner isn't the only high-profile pending free agent that is entering the final year of his contract. Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, who signed days after Marner in 2019 is also eligible for an extension and would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

According to Avalanche reporter Jesse Montano, however, the Avs and 27-year-old are close to a long-term extension that is expected to be seven or eight years.

The Finnish winger is entering the final year of his 6-year deal that he signed weeks after Marner signed his 6-year deal in September of 2019. Rantanen's deal was far more team friendly, but his cap hit has only been $9.25M per season and he only has a 9-team no-trade list compared to Marner's full no-movement clause.

In September of 2019, former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas jumped the gun and set the market for other pending RFAs by giving Marner $10.893M per season. After Rantanen and Brayden Point (3 years, $6.25M AAV) signed, Dubas was met with a lot of criticism for overpaying Marner. This time around however, it appears the Leafs and Brad Treliving are waiting for the market to be set before they decide to engage in extension talks with Marner.

Rantanen is coming off of back-to-back 100+ point seasons and won a Stanley Cup in 2022, neither of which Marner has accomplished. This should help the Leafs in their negotiations.

Once the AAV of Rantanen's new deal is revealed, the Leafs and Leaf fans will have a baseline of where Marner should land on an extension and you can be sure that the fans will not take kindly to Marner getting paid significantly more than a Stanley Cup champion and 2-time 100+ point player of the same age and at the same position.

Source: Puckpedia
Mikko Rantanen Player Profile