‘We’re looked upon ... as gods’
Marner wants to sign long-term with Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner’s plans for the future involve remaining with the Maple Leafs.
With speculation swirling about Marner’s status after another early start to the summer for the Leafs, the home-grown winger said on Monday that it “means the world” to play in Toronto.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, can start negotiating an extension on July 1. With Auston Matthews and William Nylander already having signed an extension, if the Leafs’ core is to be broken up, for many that means moving Marner. There’s the little issue of Marner’s nomove clause, however, and the desire on the part of the 27-year-old to stay.
“That would be a goal,” Marner said when he was asked if he wants to stay in Toronto long-term. “I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. I grew up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out.”
While many in Leafs Nation insist on change of some sort — whether it’s firing coach Sheldon Keefe or president Brendan Shanahan or trading Marner or making another move of significance — that frustration on the part of the fan base apparently hasn’t grabbed Marner’s attention since the Leafs lost in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
“We’re looked upon as, you know, kind of gods here to be honest,” Marner said. “Something that you really appreciate and the love that you get here from this fan base and this attention is unlike any other. You saw with the Raps a couple years ago (when the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019), the love that they still have for a lot of those players … That’s kind of the love you want.”
Never mind whether Marner and the Leafs are looked upon as gods, the devil is in the details, and Marner again was part of a core group that again couldn’t led the club to playoff success.
The Leafs’ offence went dry against the Bruins and Marner was a major disappointment, recording just three points in the series.
Yet Marner was resolute in his belief that the core can get it done in the postseason.
“Because we’re great players,” Marner said. “It’s not an easy thing to do to win the Stanley Cup and we know that and everyone knows it.”