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Ferris, it’s believed, is seeking for Marner a similar contract, at least where the AAV is concerned, to that of Matthews. In other words, the potential of a long summer regarding negotiations looms, and never mind where the talks could stand come the opening of training camp in September.

We spoke to Ferris briefly on Wednesday afternoon. Regarding the Marner negotiations with Dubas now, Ferris would only offer a polite, “No comment.”

If Ferris is able to convince Dubas that Matthews-type money is what his client deserves, the Leafs would become the only team in the NHL with three players under contract with an AAV exceeding $11 million, as John Tavares signed for seven years and $77 million last July.

As it stands now, only two other teams — the Los Angeles Kings (Drew Doughty at $11 million and Anze Kopitar at $10 million) and the Chicago Blackhawks (Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at $10.5 million each) — have two players who will have an AAV at or above $10 million next season.

Other than Matthews and Tavares, only three players — Doughty, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers at $12.5 million and Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks at $11.5 million — will have an AAV exceeding $11 million.

The Leafs, of course, are staring down major salary-cap issues, and now there is speculation the cap for the 2019-20 season might not hit the original estimation of $83 million.

This is not good news for Dubas, who needs every cent he can get. Toronto has in the range of $8 million of cap space. After Marner, forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, also restricted free agents, need to be signed.