Ex-NHLer only sees one way in which Mitch Marner remains a Maple Leaf

It's been the never-ending Mitch Marner saga so far this summer and there are no signs of it dissipating any time soon as yesterday on the NHL Network, former NHLer Mike Rupp was asked to discuss the latest surrounding the situation. Rupp went on a lengthy rant about the entire ordeal, but revealed he believes there is only one way that Marner returns to the Leafs for the 2024-25 season.

Rupp, like many Leaf fans, believes that Marner would have to leave money on the table to stay in Toronto. However, it's likely that won't happen.

As much as Marner says he loves Toronto and wants to be a Leaf, he could have already put pen to paper on a long-term deal. Given the track record of his agent Darren Ferris, it would be more of a shock if Marner took a discount than walking to free agency at this point and although Rupp says it's time for Marner to get paid, Leaf fans see Marner as being overpaid already and once Mikko Rantanen's reported extension is finalized, any deal that Marner signs over and above what Rantanen is paid will be viewed as a significant overpayment based on the fact that Rantanen has both won a Cup and eclipsed the 100-point plateau, while Marner has not.

With no resolution in sight, this could be a very long and drawn out season for Marner and the Leafs until a definitive answer is given about his future with the blue and white.

Source: PuckPedia: Mitch Marner Contract