It’s no secret that Mitch Marner is the biggest fish in this year’s unrestricted free agent class. The 28-year-old winger, coming off a 102-point season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, will likely become the highest-paid player in the league – at least until Connor McDavid potentially signs a long-term extension with the Edmonton Oilers.

But could the 2015 No. 4 overall pick sign a short-term deal and try to maximize his value? His Maple Leaf teammate Auston Matthews did exactly that in August 2023, signing a four-year extension that would keep him to the end of the 2027-28 season. The logic behind the move is that Matthews, a perennial all-star, would sign one last long-term deal when he turns 31. If you’re Marner, would it make sense to sign a similar deal do this all again in a few years?

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss Marner’s upcoming unrestricted free agency, and if there’s logic behind the idea of signing a short- to medium-term deal.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Something that popped up yesterday, the idea of Mitch Marner going more the Auston Matthews approach where he signs a four-year deal and cashes in one more time before his career is over. What do you make of the idea of Mitch Marner not signing for max term on July 1?

Frank Seravalli: I don’t know why you would leave potentially $50 to $60 million on the table, whatever the math is. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Look, he’s already really well taken care of, he’ll never have to work another day in his life, but I just don’t see the appeal to go through the process again, more than anything. I don’t love it.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…