What Tavares and Marner said about their Toronto Maple Leafs future
Group chats everywhere are popping about what exactly will happen next to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a 6-1 loss in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers that saw Toronto’s season come to an unfortunate end, the fanbase was already playing armchair GM before the final buzzer went.
And with many already looking ahead to what might feel like the world’s longest offseason, two players will headline the majority of Toronto’s coverage this summer.
Star forwards John Tavares and Mitch Marner are both unrestricted free agents after this season, meaning Sunday could’ve been both players’ last game as Leafs.
“It’s meant everything to me… it was a big decision I made seven years ago, and I’ve loved it. It’s been amazing for myself and my family. We haven’t been able to play well enough to get to where we want to get to,” Tavares said Sunday night of signing in Toronto from the New York Islanders in 2018 on a seven-year, US$77 million deal.
As for whether he hoped to return to Toronto, he kept things brief:
“Yes. ”
For Marner, he’s coming off a six-year US$65.4 million contract and is perceived as the possible top free agent available this summer, with the expectation that he could test free agency even if he does end up returning to the Leafs.
“Pretty devastated. I don’t have any thoughts right now… I’ve always enjoyed this city and this team… I haven’t thought about anything [with my future],” Marner said. “Just trying to put my best foot forward and come here and try to win hockey games and help try to win that ultimate goal.”
Marner has spent his whole career with the Leafs since being taken fourth overall in the 2015 Draft.
“Took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto, and I’ve been forever grateful to be a part of this and wear this Maple Leaf. Never taken a day for granted, always loved it,” he added. “We’ll see what happens. It’s devastating right now… it’s tough to put emotions or anything forward to think about [the] future.”
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