Maple Leafs might balk at 'offer' from Mitch Marner

Some interesting developments are starting to unfold as Mitch Marner and his camp prepare for July 1 and what is expected to be a series of meetings the star winger will have with teams looking to sign him in free agency.

One insider is suggesting that some teams arent interested in taking the time to "play Marners game" including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Elliotte Friedman writes in his latest 32 Thoughts column : "Teams are preparing for Marner to meet with teams starting July 1 (probably virtually, unless someone wants to come to Toronto), and then him visiting a team or two before announcing a decision.

When I mentioned that on the podcast last week, a few sources reached out to say its a good plan with one flaw: what if a team Marner likes says, 'We dont have time for this.

We need to know if youre coming.

If youre not, we cant wait for Plan B.

Sorry, give us an answer.' Toronto was offered a meeting, but Im not sure theyd feel the need to go through with it.

I got pushback on the idea Marner could opt for a four-year deal giving him another payday at age 32 but a few teams said theyd heard about it.

Lots of twists and turns on this file over the next two weeks.

Barring a sudden change in philosophy, Carolina is expected to push all chips into the pot.

Im watching Vegas, with several of their Western Conference brethren pushing hard.

Friedmans comments suggest teams are willing to jump through the hoops Marner is setting up.

Vegas and Carolina might be among them.

Others are not.

The Maple Leafs, who hadnt necessarily ruled out bringing Marner back, seem to be leaning in another direction and have no desire to attend a meeting if thats the only offer theyre going to get.

There is a feeling that perhaps Marner owes them a little more respect than lumping them in with everyone else.

He was drafted there, paid big money by the team and given every opportunity to succeed.

Now, the Leafs are just "another club" hell consider and maybe deserve more.

If Marner doesnt want to have a conversation with Toronto prior to July 1, it sounds like the Leafs are out.

Essentially, if this is how he wants to play it, the Leafs are thinking about bowing out of the Marner game completely.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission..

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