Paul Bissonnette predicts Mitch Marner’s next contract on The Sheet

NHL on TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette joined Jeff Marek on The Sheet this week to discuss a number of items, where Mitch Marner’s impending contract status was naturally discussed. Bissonnette appeared to have Marner’s back, believing that the Toronto Maple Leafs star winger was disrespected, when asked to waive his no-trade clause in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen.

“I felt like it was maybe disrespectful at this point, given the season he’s had, after dealing with all that in the past, to then get asked to waive it again,” Bissonnette said.

“I was shocked to hear that. And also, if you hear that they’re prepared to give somebody who hasn’t put sweat equity into the organization, and hasn’t been able to play in that type of market, and offer him ($13.5 million) maybe even a little bit a north of that, I don’t think there’s any way he’s taking any type of hometown discount. I think Marner’s looking at 14 sheets now in Toronto, because anybody else would give it to him. I just don’t see him, based on the disrespect he’s felt, maybe not even wanting to come back, but if he still does, he ain’t taking the deal, and that point, are they even offering him that type of money?”

Marner is widely considered to be the best available free agent on this summer’s market, where he could re-sign with the Maple Leafs, or become the highest-paid winger in the NHL, elsewhere. The 27-year-old has stated on multiple occasions that he wants to remain with the Leafs, but is letting his agent, Darren Ferris, handle the negotiations.