Insider Chris Johnston lays out a potential timeline for a Mitch Marner extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs once again find themselves in a situation where they have a star player in the final year of their contract heading into a season. Last season the Maple Leafs let William Nylander's extension talks go into the season. He made them pay for not signing him sooner and went on an insane run to begin the season.

After the point streak finally ended William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs did agree to a contract. William Nylander was rewarded with an 8-year 11.5 million dollar per season contract.

With this mistake in the past for GM Brad Treliving he is hoping to not make the same mistake with Mitch Marner going forward. However, a suggestion from an NHL insider could provide an entirely different strategy.

With Mitch Marner's talks likely to extend into the NHL season insider Chris Johnston spoke about the situation. He said that while no perfect scenario for Mitch Marner's extension exists one scenario could be cinematic. Chris Johnston suggests allowing Mitch Marner to stay a free agent until the end of the season and then extending him after the team wins the Stanley Cup.

Of course, any trade involving Mitch Marner would likely not bring back exact equal value immediately for a player of his quality. Losing him for nothing would also be frustrating.

However, after how things ended last season and Mitch Marner taking much of the blame letting things play out could work better. If the Maple Leafs falter in the playoffs the blame could once again go to Mitch Marner and he could leave as fans want. They could also win and then re-sign Mitch Marner to a major extension and fans would rejoice to hear the announcement.

Either way, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to have a plan as soon as possible and stick to it regardless of how things play out on the ice.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
The most likely outcome for Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs has been revealed