In the event you had ‘August 20th’ in your RFA workplace pool, take a bow.
I’m in fact not speaking concerning the date by which we should always’ve anticipated most of those RFAs to be locked up — that day has lengthy handed — however fairly when the primary predictable “Mitch Marner is contemplating going to Europe” stories would floor.
Truthfully, it took a means longer than I assumed.
On Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal lastly offered the replace we’ve all been craving — a classic transfer straight out of agent Darren Ferris’ handbook.
24 days to coaching camp and nonetheless no Brock Boeser deal.
Some RFA ’ s is likely to be searching for a spot to play if no deal, European supply tells me Mitch Marner camp has already contacted the Zurich Lions of the Swiss League.— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) August 20, 2019
Rumblings like this are one factor, however it’s necessary that Marner’s PR rep, er, TSN Insider Darren Dreger, confirms any Mitch-related rumours — which he did simply over an hour after Dhaliwal dropped the preliminary report.
Marner may pay the insurance coverage premium and go to Leafs camp with out a contract. What a circus that may be. Commerce curiosity will develop in addition to the times go by. https://t.co/5IH1f1TELk
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 20, 2019
So with coaching camp lower than a month away and no contract in sight (not less than not publicly) for Marner, that is the stage within the negotiation the place Ferris and his camp sometimes leak some nonsense a few star participant they signify critically contemplating their choices exterior of the NHL.
The up-and-coming agent has tried the same tactic — with little success to indicate for it — with a few of his earlier, bigger-name shoppers. A well-known supply was pushing the Euro narrative again in 2017, too.
Don’t get me unsuitable: the entire threatening to go away the NHL factor has been used as a negotiating tactic for fairly a while, however the predictability of this one — and who’s behind it — makes this entire factor laughable and clearly unimaginable to take critically.
In case you have been questioning, neither Athanasiou nor Bennett ever obtained near suiting up for an abroad membership, and I’d wager a number of of my very own limbs (and yours) that Marner received’t get wherever close to that time, both.
Ferris’ recreation plan right here positive is an fascinating one, particularly contemplating, like, completely zero individuals suppose this may truly occur. Yeah, we’re all simply large dumb infants who will for positive consider that an elite 21-year-old participant will spend one in all his prime years in Switzerland, only a season out from an almost-guaranteed NHL lockout.
A numerically astute NHL GM like Kyle Dubas will certainly fall for that one, too. Negotiation season is so enjoyable.