Mitch Marner: Last Game with the Maple Leafs?
Uncertainty surrounds Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The talented winger, who will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, has evaded speculation about a possible contract extension throughout the season. Following the Game 7 loss against Florida in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Marner was asked directly about his desire to remain with the team. However, the player remained reserved.
Marner, who has played his entire nine-year career with Toronto, expressed his affection for the team and the city, but admitted that he has not yet fully processed the situation after the recent defeat.
I’ve always loved my time here, I’ve loved being here. I’m very grateful. I haven’t processed anything yet. It’s still very recent. Losing sucks.
Mitch Marner
Selected by the Leafs in 2015, Marner has become one of the league’s most prominent players, reaching a personal best of 102 points in the 2024-25 season, ranking fifth in the NHL. Despite this, an agreement for a renewal was not reached, and the player rejected a trade request before the trade deadline in March.
Marner’s performance in the playoffs, however, was not enough to lead Toronto to victory. The team lost to the Panthers, and Marner only recorded three assists in the last five games, with a minus-four rating. This defeat marks another disappointing end for Toronto and for Marner, who has accumulated only two assists in the last six playoff games.
The lack of a definitive answer from Marner regarding his future in Toronto suggests the possibility that he will explore other options in the free agent market.
It’s hard to process right now. It’s very recent. It’s been 24 hours since our season ended. I haven’t thought about anything. I haven’t sat down with my wife. I haven’t talked to her about the future, the next steps, and we’ll do that in the coming weeks. We’ll start to figure things out. But I’m eternally grateful, especially to this group.
Mitch Marner
Marner expressed his gratitude for his time in Toronto, acknowledging the ups and downs, but highlighting the city’s love and passion.
Meanwhile, John Tavares, also an unrestricted free agent, has expressed his desire to continue in Toronto and has held “productive” conversations with General Manager Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube. Berube, for his part, expressed his desire to continue to have Marner and Tavares.
If the last game against Florida was the end of Marner’s time with the Leafs, he will leave an impressive legacy, being one of the fastest players in franchise history to reach 700 points and one of four players to achieve 100 points.
Auston Matthews, Marner’s teammate for much of his career in Toronto, has forged a strong friendship with him, and considers him a brother.
He’s a brother. He’s a really good teammate, friend. We’re extremely close. He’s extremely close with a lot of guys on the team, and he’s a big part of our team, and has been a big part of our team. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the business. People come and go. He’s entitled to make his own decision, but obviously we all love him a lot. He’s an incredible person, an incredible teammate.
Auston Matthews
Marner’s final decision on his future remains to be seen, but his possible departure would leave a void in the team.
