Mitch Marner upsets Leafs’ fans with latest comments ahead of Game 6

The Maple Leafs are getting ready to take on the Panthers in Florida later tonight in what may very well be the last time fans get to watch star forward Mitch Marner in a Toronto uniform. Earlier today, we shared the report from Chris Johnston that hat odds are high that Marner tests free agency and signs elsewhere once the season ends.

The chatter got more intense on Marner’s future after Game 5 when he created a spinning backhand pass turnover which led to the Panthers’ third goal of a 6-1 win.

When asked about his blunder ahead of Game 6 on Friday, Marner only said:

“Just trying to make a play, hit the far guy. On the 3-on-2 coming back, I was trying to cheat the pass up top and obviously made a big mistake. You’ve got to clear your mind of that and know you can be better.”

Moments later, when asked about how he deals with the pressure, going into a do or die game in Florida, following three losses in the second round series, Marner replied to Lance Hornby:

“Hang out with my son and my dog. They have no idea what’s happening in this world.”

His comments got Maple Leafs’ fans as many wrote about the importance of keeping focused on what’s at stake and showing a level of care for his role on the team. Reactions have been going rampant on social media, with Marner trending on all of the wrong reasons.

“I mean that’s the best answer he’s had yet tbh! They know what has to get done,” wrote one fan.
“So he escapes from it instead of facing it. Great,” said another.
“Can’t handle it so he ignores it :/
Some thrive under pressure, some run from it,” posted one more.

While I can understand why he would need to let go of some of the pressure and do things that make him happy with the people he loves, the proof will be in the pudding tonight and fans will find out if that was the right way to handle it.

Marner, who despite the Maple Leafs’ latest struggles remains the team’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs (12 points) only behind William Nylander (15 points), is expected to become the most coveted player in free agency if he hits the open market in July.

Marner, who was selected fourth overall by Toronto back in 2015, led the Maple Leafs with a career-high 102 points in 81 games during the regular season and scored 85 or more points in five of his last seven seasons, which include three 90-point seasons and one 100-point season. Despite the amazing stats, it certainly feel like the postseason has sealed his fate and that tonight might be the last time we all see Marner in a Maple Leafs’ uniform.

And fans might be okay with it in the end…