New Information Comes to Light Involving Maple Leafs Forwards Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies

Throughout the entire 2024-25 season, the conversation surrounding Mitch Marner has been about his future in Toronto. Many have believed from the start that it would depend on how he and the Leafs performed during the playoffs, but when he was asked to waive his no-movement clause ahead of the trade deadline, his future with the Leafs appeared strained after he spoke publicly about it.

Matthew Knies, on the other hand, also had his name surface in trade rumours, but affirmed that he wants to remain in Toronto.

While reports continue to strickle in about what Marner and Knies may be after on their next deals, Evolving Hockey has released contract projections for pending free agents - as they do every year.

While reports have suggested Marner is seeking North of $13M and Knies being projected to land a deal worth somewhere between $7M and $9M, the projections from Evolving Hockey are surprisingly more affordable for the Leafs on both accounts.

According to Evolving Hockey's model, the ideal extension for Marner would see the former first-round pick settle at slightly less than $12.9M per season over 8 years. For Leafs Nation, it's not a terrible contract considering how Marner has performed this season and so far in the playoffs, but is a tad lower than expected.

As far as Knies' ideal extension, however, is valued far lower than what he is expected to eventually re-sign for. Evolving Hockey has projected an ideal extension for Knies of 6 years with an AAV of $6.284M.

As the Leafs go further into the playoffs and Knies and Marner continue to produce, these projections will surely rise, as their values continue to skyrocket. The Leafs can only hope they can meet both somewhere in the middle without hurting themselves too much in terms of cap space.