Dubas says Marner negotiations remain at status quo

If you're eagerly awaiting Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner to sign a new contract, don't hold your breath.

General manager Kyle Dubas addressed the ongoing negotiations between the two sides this weekend, and it doesn't appear there's been much progress of late.

"It's just really the status quo at this point," Dubas told TSN at the World Junior Summer Showcase. "I think the reality is, it's the status quo with all these types of players throughout the league. There doesn't seem to be anything really transpiring, and as it gets into August, it's kind of into a bit of a slog where there doesn't seem to be any real progress. You don't even hear of any progress in any of the other situations."

High-profile restricted free agents are reportedly waiting for Marner, an RFA and the Leafs' leading scorer, to sign and set the market. Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk, Brock Boeser, Patrik Laine, and Mikko Rantanen are also RFAs.

Marner's said he "probably" won't attend Toronto's training camp - set to open Sept. 17 - without a deal, though he added he'd prefer to be there.

The 22-year-old winger is coming off a monstrous season in which he put up 94 points - the ninth-highest total in the NHL. He also added four points in seven playoff contests.

The Maple Leafs are currently above the $81.5-million salary cap. However, they can build an offseason roster with a projected cap hit as rich as $92.05 million, then place David Clarkson and Nathan Horton on long-term injured reserve to become cap compliant, according to Cap Friendly.

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