There's no doubt that Mitch Marner is one of the elite scorers in the game. Expert Jon Steitzer predicts Marner will demand a salary too high for the Maple Leafs to fit under their cap, likely leading GM Brad Treliving to execute a trade.
Marner is entering the final year of his contract, earning $10.9 million. Even without a raise, retaining him at that salary will be challenging for the Leafs. Treliving likely won't want to risk losing Marner in free agency for nothing. Therefore, if talks stall, a trade may be the only option, and there's already been a lot of trade talk surrounding Marner this off-season.
Leafs fans hope to see more goal celebrations by Marner next season, but based on recent remarks by experts and the Leafs' cap situation, it seems increasingly unlikely.