Leafs GM Brad Treliving refuses to commit to Mitch Marner in press conference today
He's as good as gone, isn't he?
It sounds like Mitch Marner is DONE with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last week, when asked about a potential return to Toronto, Marner wouldn't commit.
“I’ve always loved my time here… I haven’t processed anything yet.”
“It’s so fresh. It’s tough to anything right now, future wise. I was hoping to be playing hockey right now… I’ll sit down with my wife and decide (next steps) in the coming weeks.”
- Mitch Marner
And today, Leafs GM Brad Treliving essentially echoed that sentiment in his own media availability. When asked about the team's makeup and Marner specifically, Treliving offered up some cryptic predictions:
“There’s some DNA that has to change in our team. If you keep getting to the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change. That’s on me going forward.
“We’ve now started the planning, and it’s early, for putting a team together for 2025-26.”Brad Treliving
Treliving, however, didn't shut the door entirely on a return for Marner but did reiterate that the team is taking some time to breathe a bit while it gathers itself.
“We’re in that process right now. Mitch and I had a discussion (during exit meetings). My discussion was let’s take a step back, breathe a little… We’re going to meet as a staff, I’m going to be in touch with Mitch’s representative. Mitch has a say in this as well.”
- Brad Treliving
Personally, I think he's history. Marner will become a free agent and will likely sign a huge contract elsewhere in the NHL.
And you know what? Maybe it's for the best?
NHL insider Chris Johnston recently detailed some clashes with fans that Marner has had over the years that may have shaped his future with the team. From Johnston's most recent podcast episode:
“If there's two things that have made Toronto not a place that Mitch Marner is all that eager to keep playing in, it would be his original contract negotiation back in 2019, which he and his camp extended into training camp. He signed after a day or two of missing camp that year. But that's when the fans started to turn on him.”
“And, you know, Mitch gave interviews at that time, said it was the first time he'd ever been yelled at. He was walking his dog once, and some guy that summer was yelling like, “Why don't you have a contract?” And people started talking a lot about his dad and what role his dad may or may not have played in those negotiations.”
“And Mitch kind of bristled at his family being brought into it. And then on top of that, in the six years that followed, when the playoff success wasn't there, you know, a lot of it was aimed his way. And I will say, much of it justified, but I'm aware of a few incidents that Mitch had to deal with, and there's probably more that I don't know about, where it bordered on harassment.”
“And it was very uncomfortable for him and people he cares about. And, you know, there's even an incident after this game that we're not going to get into here because I don't want to give it any more life. But, you know, people, it crossed the line a lot of times with some of the, you know, whatever we want to call them, the fanatics and the fan base, the crazies that, you know, people almost took it too personally, I think.”- Chris Johnston
Again, when asked if he would like to return to the Leafs, all Marner had to say was, "Yeah, we'll see what happens," while shaking his head the entire time.
Again, does this seem like a player who is committed to his team?
He's already talking about the Leafs in the past tense:
“It meant everything,” he said. “(They) took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto and I’ve been forever grateful to be able to wear this Maple Leaf, and be a part of some of the great legends here and be able to wear this jersey.
“So never taken a day for granted, and I always loved it.”
Yep... he's done. I'd be shocked if he returns to Toronto next season.
