As the puck dropped on the new season, Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner made it clear that he was focused on one thing – hockey. Despite entering the final season of his current contract, Marner refused to be drawn into discussions about his future and instead, emphasized his commitment to the team.
“Obviously know there’s going to be some contract questions, but not here to talk about that,” Marner declared. “I’m very happy to be a Maple Leaf. It’s an unbelievable privilege. But I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about the season and getting going.”
Throughout his eight seasons in Toronto, Marner has amassed impressive numbers, ranking eighth on the all-time franchise scoring list with 639 points in 576 games. However, despite individual success, the team has struggled in the playoffs, securing just one series win during his tenure.
Leafs management, led by president Brendan Shanahan, has shown faith in the core players, with Auston Matthews and William Nylander signing lucrative contract extensions. Speculation is rife that Marner could be next in line for an extension, with reports indicating that talks have been ongoing behind the scenes.
“There has been communication, but what way those talks have gone is really hard to get a handle on,” noted TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston. “A main part of that is they’re trying to do this as quiet as possible and that’s tough to do in a market like this.”
Marner’s approach to the contract negotiations mirrors his on-ice mentality – focus on the game and winning. Despite the noise surrounding his contract status, Marner remains determined to perform at his best and help the team succeed.
“You can’t think of it that way,” Marner emphasized. “It’s another year of you wanting to be the best you can be to help this team win hockey games. That’s where my mind is.”
Teammate Matthews, who has been alongside Marner since their rookie season, praised Marner’s resilience and work ethic in the face of ongoing speculation.
“He’s dealt with it great,” Matthews commented. “He’s had a great summer. With all the noise, you can only control so much. He’s put in a lot of work. He looks great … We’re all here to support him as teammates and as a team so I don’t think that stuff has really affected him or is going to affect him much at all.”
Prior to the start of the season, Marner trained with some of the NHL’s top players, including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon, at a camp in Vail, Colorado. As the new season got underway, Marner’s focus remained on the ice, determined to let his play do the talking amidst the contract rumors swirling around him.
