NHL insider Elliotte Friedman explains exactly what happened between Marner and the Leafs

Mitch Marner makes his return to Toronto tomorrow evening when his Vegas Golden Knights take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

Marner left the Leafs last summer after years of scrutiny from the Leafs fanbase and from local media, so there's some trepidation as to what sort of reaction he will receive.

Will fans boo him?

Will fans cheer him?

Will there be a mix of both?

Former teammate Joseph Woll implored fans to show respect for Marner tomorrow night, calling Marner a "special player for (the Leafs) for a long time."

While I can appreciate this sentiment, it's a bit naive.

The fact is that Marner took the Leafs for all he could in his time with the team and then when the going got tough he took off to Vegas. At least, that's the way that a large percentage of Leafs Nation sees it. I suspect he won't receive the warm welcoming that Woll is expecting.

Today, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke down all that has transpired between the Leafs and Marner and breaks down the exact reasons for their divorce.

First off, Friedman confirms what many Leafs fans already suspected to be true. The problems between Marner and the team started and, ultimately, ended with money.

When Marner signed his entry-level contract, he did not get the full bonuses. Some have attributed this to Lou Lamoriello, who wouldn’t allow them. Others disputed that, pointing out Lamoriello was hired five days before Marner signed, with the process far along. Toronto indicated it would be a cap team; declining bonuses would give flexibility. Twelve months later, Matthews got the full package on his entry-level deal. 

The organization recognized any slight — no matter how small — had lasting consequences.

In other words, Marner held it against the team that they paid Matthews more and awarded him contractual bonuses.

More:

After a tense and public negotiation, Marner and the Maple Leafs agreed to a six-year, $65.41 million extension as training camp began in September 2019. Many of you reading this are aware of the public ups and downs, so Iet’s look at what happened behind the scenes. 

Marner became even more hypersensitive to what was being said about him after getting that new contract. He read too much social media. He’d check replies to his posts, search out reaction to his play. Players and staff worked with him to ease up, or delete apps from his phone. There was also the problem that, as a Torontonian, he was surrounded by family and friends who would text him or tell him what was said about him. (There is zero doubt this is a major reason Marner chose to go to the Western Conference.)

That's a recipe for disaster. Often times the worst things said about an individual are said by those who have no real knowledge or insight into what they're talking about. Marner took those opinions to heart and he let it shape his personality.

Flash forward to 2024 and contract negotiations once again strained the relationship between Marner and his team.

Again from Friedman:

Nylander extended on Jan. 8, 2024 — an eight-year, $92 million contract. Marner celebrated along with everyone else. He was genuinely happy for his teammate. The Maple Leafs planned a future where Marner would slot in somewhere between Nylander ($11.5 million per season) and Matthews ($13.25 million). 

Several people I spoke to for this story wondered if, with 20/20 hindsight, that was when Marner seriously started thinking about leaving. The criticism he took after this series really hurt. There were complaints the Maple Leafs did not defend him enough in the face of injury, although GM Brad Treliving did mention days later that Marner was playing through several things. (Treliving would not comment for this story.)

Toronto did investigate trade options. Carolina offered Martin Necas, but the Maple Leafs did not think Marner would waive for the Hurricanes. 

There were discussions with Vegas, who did not want to part with Shea Theodore. Alex Pietrangelo’s name came up, but the Maple Leafs decided not to pursue him because of the health concerns that sadly shortened his career. (I don’t believe he was ever asked to consider it.)

What did happen was the Leafs began to believe Vegas was Marner’s choice if he didn’t stay. They thought they would never get what they considered a fair offer from the Golden Knights, because Vegas believed if he left Toronto, they’d get him. 

And there it is... Marner knew all along that he was going to Vegas. He had one foot out the door for months, if not over a calendar year despite still playing for the Leafs.

Then we learn that Marner and his agent floated the idea of a trade last season.

According to several sources, the Maple Leafs were told sometime before the New Year by Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, that the winger might consider a trade to a Western Conference contender.

Suspecting his interest in Vegas, the Leafs tried a three-way with the Golden Knights and Hurricanes. There just wasn’t a match. About eight hours before the trade deadline, they were told Rantanen wouldn’t be coming north.

So there you have it...

In effect, Marner was jealous of the money and attention that his teammates received and so he wanted to take his ball and go to a new home in Las Vegas.

And the Leafs just let the baby have his bottle...

Tomorrow night's game should be a fun one!

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