Mitch Marner Finally Breaks Silence on Contract Talks After Months of Speculation
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Mitch Marner is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and with questions around whether he's staying or leaving, he's finally commented on the situation.
As the regular season comes to an end soon and the playoffs begin, all eyes will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs as they look to take the success they've had this year and finally translate it into a deep playoff push.
A lot of those eyes are going to be on Mitch Marner, as not only is he in the midst of his best season, but as a pending free agent, the discussion around whether or not he is going to stay has been rampant to say the least.
Mitch Marner Comments On Contract Talks With Free Agency Looming
But for the star forward, he's doing his best not to let the chatter distract his play, however did take the time to speak with The Athletic's Jonas Siegel about his season, and what the future potentially holds for him:
We can always do better, especially with how our playoffs have gone.
Obviously we're not satisfied with just making it and having the results that we've had. Just having the belief; we know we have the belief. It's just executing that and staying patient with it, knowing not every game is gonna be an easy one or everything's gonna go your way.
It's gonna be some ups and downs and it's just like the (regular) season, you've just gotta ride it out and stay with the belief and calmness that you have.
Obviously we're not satisfied with just making it and having the results that we've had. Just having the belief; we know we have the belief. It's just executing that and staying patient with it, knowing not every game is gonna be an easy one or everything's gonna go your way.
It's gonna be some ups and downs and it's just like the (regular) season, you've just gotta ride it out and stay with the belief and calmness that you have.
HIs calmness has led him to a lot of personal success this season. Only seven points away from the illustrious 100-point mark, he was also the catalyst in Team Canada's OT victory over the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
But there was some tension between the two parties as Toronto asked Marner to waive his no-movement clause at the deadline given they hadn't heard any real discussion from his camp; Marner clearly declined, but was adamant that the outside noise was not going to cause concerns:
I'm here to just play hockey. That's what I expressed at the start of the year and express now. It's a business out there. I know what's going on. I'm just here to play hockey. I'm here to enjoy everything and go through the ups and downs with these guys, and just take it day by day and try to help us win games.
But with still no answer toward whether or not he'll stay, did Marner tip his hand at all? Not really:
No, I mean, I'm here to play hockey, that'll come when that'll come.
Whether or not he stays, he's certainly doing his part to go out with a bang. In 74 games this season, Marner has 93 points (24G, 69A) and has clearly shown that even if he doesn't lead Toronto to the promised land, he'll sign elsewhere and be given the chance to run his own offense.
All we can hope is that when Mitch plays hockey, it's going to lead to the most success he's ever seen. If not, it's going to be a very sad end to what was supposed to be the Maple Leafs' greatest chance at glory for over 50 years.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 664 ANSWERS Mitch Marner Finally Breaks Silence on Contract Talks After Months of Speculation Do you think Mitch Marner is going to re-sign with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 490 | 73.8 % |
| No | 174 | 26.2 % |
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