On the links with no deal in the bag
Players go out golfing as front office chips away at the Marner contract
No surprise that Mitch Marner was the only significant noshow Wednesday at the Maple Leafs’ charity golf event in Milton.
Marner remained without a contract on the eve of training camp in St. John’s — with three-, six- and seven-year deals reportedly in the mix. The Leafs are said to be offering $8.5 million a year (U.S.) on a shortterm deal, and willing to go to $11 million on a longer contract, according to various reports.
“We talk to Mitch and obviously we want him here,” said Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. “He’s a big part of our group and a great teammate. We want him in the mix, but there’s really only so much you can do as a player. You’ve got to get ready. You’ve got to worry about your own game.”
The Leafs are used to this by now.
Last year, forward William Nylander missed camp and didn’t sign until Dec. 1.
“At training camp you want all the guys to be here,” said centre Frédérik Gauthier. “We went through the same situation last year with Willie. I think things will take of themselves.” HAIRY SITUATION: Just as it was last week on the league media tour in Chicago, Auston Matthews’ moustache was the subject of conversation at RattleSnake Point, where the Leafs golfed.
“I think it’s awesome,” said forward Nic Petan. “It represents his style. It’s MexicanNarcos style.”
That was the consensus last week among players and in the Twittersphere.
“I love the show, the Narcos one. Without the beer belly,” Matthews said then.
He said he grew it out of boredom: “I figured why not try this moustache thing. I’ve never done it. Feel a little greasy. Just kind of stuck with it.”
Back on the links, Rielly smiled when asked about it: “I like it. It’s got some growth left on it.” FLIP PASS: Petan will be switching numbers this season, moving to No. 61. Jason Spezza will take No. 19. “I flipped it (19) around to 61,” said Petan, who gave it up as a favour to the incoming veteran. “I didn’t ask him (for anything). A nice paragraphed text was just good enough for me.” CENTRES OF ATTENTION: Gauthier will arrive at camp fresh off his first full year in the NHL, but with the knowledge that the Leafs added centres over the summer, most notably Spezza. “It’s going to be a nice battle to get the best out of us,” said Gauthier. “A strong camp is something I’ll be able to do.” SNEAK PREVIEW: A number of Leafs worked out together in B.C. prior to coming to Toronto, including Rielly, Petan and Alexander Kerfoot, acquired from Colorado in the Nazem Kadri trade. Petan said he was impressed with Kerfoot’s speed: “Highly intelligent game. Good feet. Great hands. Sees the game very well. If I get the chance to play with him, I’m looking forward to it.”