Leafs: ‘What if someone gets sick and dies?’ Marner asks about the NHL’s return

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, in a candid moment during group play of a video game online, said he is more worried about the health of his fellow players than he is about playing through the COVID-19 pandemic, though he acknowledged there is a great deal of money to be lost.

“Just imagine it,” Marner told the people he was playing with online. “I’m all down for starting everything up, let’s rock. But what if someone gets sick and dies? What happens? It’s awful to think about, but still.”

The video, with Marner playing as Marns_16, was posted on Twitter by @dharma_club_.

One of Marner’s gaming buddies suggested athletes like him are less at risk, being young and healthy, but the voice also suggested that coronavirus can have long-lasting effects for those who survive it.

Marner brought up the case of Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi, Marner’s teammate in junior with the London Knights.

Domi has diabetes, and those with underlying medical conditions appear to be in a greater danger of contracting the coronavirus.

“Domi has diabetes,” Marner said.

“If he gets it, he’s in (it) bad,” the Leafs forward said.

Marner also suggested that if any of the major leagues return, then the rest will, too.

“If one league plays, then all leagues have got to play,” he said. “If we don’t play, the amount of money we’re going to lose …” He didn’t finish the thought.

The NHL season was halted on

March 12 and two scenarios are currently being discussed for a return: salvaging at least some of the remaining regular-season games or jumping right into the playoffs.

The Maple Leafs were in a playoff spot with 12 games left when the season was paused.

Teams would either report to their home arenas and play in a region-based format, or gather in several hub cities (Toronto is among the possible sites) and play in groups while living in isolation in hotels.