It led to Marner agreeing to a six-year, $65.358 million contract Friday, the first on-ice day at Maple Leafs training camp.
"I just expressed to Kyle that I don't want to miss any games and want to make sure I'm with the team as soon as possible," Marner said Saturday. "From that moment on, the next day or so, everyone on both sides just beared down and realized that both parties want the same thing, and we came to an agreement.
"I'm excited to be part of this team. I'm happy to be here, happy to be done all that process, and looking forward to helping this team."
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Dubas, the Maple Leafs general manager, said the exchange of ideas with Marner was enlightening.
"It was great for Mitch to tell me how he felt and me to explain the reason where we were at and what we were proposing and so on," Dubas said. "About how he fit into the team, how the team was going to move forward and everything of that nature. It was a real positive in the process."
With Marner signed, the Maple Leafs should have him and forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares intact for the next five seasons. Matthews and Nylander are signed through 2023-24, Marner and Tavares through 2024-25.
"Now it's time to get to work and have fun with it," Marner said.