Mitch Marner’s teammates hope he’s a Maple Leaf long-term. Does he?

Credit: Apr 11, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) plays the puck against the New Jersey Devils in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

To be clear, the pressure falls on every member of the Toronto Maple Leafs as they navigate the emotions of their seventh opening-round postseason defeat in their past eight seasons. But the temperature will always spike when it comes to the Core Four forward group of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

And if there’s one player on the team who is the ant under the magnifying glass, scorched by media and fans alike for his performance, it’s undoubtedly Marner right now. He’s unquestionably an elite regular-season player, sixth in league scoring across the past five seasons combined, strong enough defensively to be a Selke Trophy finalist last season as a right winger. But no matter how well he drives the play or backchecks or racks up takeaways, the playoff version of Marner falls well short of the expectations that accompany a $10.903 million cap hit.

In his past 16 playoff games dating back to 2022, Marner has just two goals and 11 points. Even the staunchest defenders can’t claim he’s the same player in the postseason. Unlike Matthews and Nylander, who both had heroic moments in Toronto’s seven-game loss to the Boston Bruins this spring, Marner wasn’t dealing with any confirmed health problem or lingering complications from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in March.

The question before he spoke to media Monday as part of Toronto’s locker-room cleanout day: does he still want to be here? Marner, more than any other Leaf, has established somewhat of an adversarial relationship with the media in recent years. Even if it was his childhood dream to play for this team: how much more criticism can he take? Eligible to sign an extension July 1, does he still envision himself here long term?

Marner addressed the question directly Monday, suggesting he’ll start thinking about the contract in the next week or so when he’s no longer still in the moment following the team’s elimination. But he did clarify that re-signing “would be a goal” of his.

“I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city, obviously I’ve grown up here, he said. “We’ll start thinking about that now and figure something out.

“It means the world [to wear the Maple Leaf]. We’re looked upon as kind of gods here to be honest. That’s something that you really appreciate, the love that you get here from this fan base, this attention is unlike any other. You saw with the [NBA’s Toronto Raptors] a couple years ago, the love they still have for a lot of those players that they had to trade off this year, that’s the kind of love that you want.”

Marner wasn’t exactly insisting a deal is all but signed for July 1. His words, on paper, suggest he still wants to be a Leaf. But in person at Ford Performance Center Monday, the difference in tone between his comments and, for instance, captain John Tavares’ comments was palpable. Tavares spoke with an earnest passion when he asserted his desire to sign an extension and continue living his lifelong dream. Marner said the right words, but there was a despondent detachment to them.

Was he speaking as a young man simply worn out, not even 48 hours after a Game 7 overtime heartbreak? Or was he missing his usual conviction because he’s mentally opening his mind to the possibility of leaving?

One thing is for sure: his teammates don’t want him gone. Whatever a dressing room cancer is: Marner is clearly the opposite, beloved by teammates, who go out of their way to praise him at every turn.

“Mitchy provides so much not just on the ice but in the locker room,” Tavares said. “I talk a lot about his energy and the type of personality he is and how much we love being around him. That type of vibe he brings and all the things he does on the ice. He plays in all situations, remarkable hockey sense, such a great playmaker. Without the puck, the way he can read plays, defend well, playing against other teams’ top players, he plays in all roles, so he’s a very valuable piece of our group.”

“He’s an incredible human being, friend,” Nylander said. “Love the guy. Look, there’s always someone taking heat here regardless of how it’s going. But we love him.”

“Mitchy, he’s great, man,” said Max Domi, whose time with Marner dates back to their days in major junior playing for the OHL’s London Knights. “He’s such a big part of this team both on and off the ice. He’s grown up in a lot of ways, but in some ways he’s still the same kid that everyone loves, that I definitely adored when I was 16, 17, 18, 19 years old. He’s like a little brother to me kind of thing. Love the kid to death. Seeing what he’s done in his career so far and how big of a role he has here in the hockey mecca, just how he carries himself. Special person, special player and I feel very fortunate to play with him at this level as well.”

If the Leafs were to deal Marner in a sign-and-trade scenario, they could get a gargantuan return, contrary to what your average radio show callin’, jersey-burnin’ fan would have you believe. He’s a two-time first-team All-Star with point production putting him on a Hall of Fame trajectory. A team currently outside the playoff picture and trying to get back in, for example, or an also-ran contender desperate for offense, would pay a significant price. But Marner holds the cards. He has a full no-movement clause during the final year of his contract.

Ultimately, his future comes down to whether he still wants to be a Maple Leaf. He said so Monday. So do we take his words at face value?

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Mitch Marner’s teammates hope he’s a Maple Leaf long-term. Does he?

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