Maple Leafs extend qualifying offers to Marner, Kapanen, Johnsson

The Toronto Maple Leafs extended qualifying offers to forwards Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson and Michael Carcone.

Kapanen and Johnsson’s extensions are widely expected to be announced shortly.

Marner is clearly the Maple Leafs’ top priority, after leading the team in scoring for the second consecutive year, while forming one of the most potent tandems in the league alongside John Tavares. The 22-year-old posted 26 goals and 94 points during the 2018-19 season.

It’s clear that Marner is looking for a lucrative deal and could emerge from this summer’s negotiations as one of the NHL’s highest-paid wingers.

Although it seems likely that Marner’s extension may end up being too rich for some fans to stomach, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas told reporters Sunday it’s not on the hometown star to clear up cap space for the team.

Kapanen scored 20 goals, racking up 44 points and emerged as a key component of the team’s penalty kill. Gifted with all-world speed and acceleration, Kapanen is a consistent breakaway threat and could play a larger role in 2019-20.

The 22-year-old is expected to sign a 3-year extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $3.2-3.4 million, once Marner’s situation is wrapped up, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

Johnsson also made himself an essential member of Toronto’s loaded forward corps, notching 20 goals and 43 points, finishing eighth in Calder Trophy voting. Selected in the seventh round in 2013, Johnsson’s return on value has been invaluable and like Kapanen, figures to potentially take more responsibility in 2019-20.

It was reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger that Johnsson will sign a four-year extension with an AAV of $3.25-3.5 million.

Carcone was acquired by the Maple Leafs in a December trade with the Vancouver Canucks. The winger put up 14 goals and 27 points in 42 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2018-19.

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