The truth behind the Mitch Marner trade scramble at last year's deadline comes out
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The truth behind Mitch Marner's trade deadline situation last year has been revealed by Elliotte Friedman that shows Toronto could have dealt him way sooner.
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Mitch Marner this past offseason and it finally put an end to a situation that seemed to have reached its boiling point early on and kept simmering until things basically exploded.
They tried to deal him at the deadline but all we know is that Marner refused to waive his trade protection and the team decided to give it one last go with him, even if an extension wasn't in the works.
But we now know that things could have been a lot different a lot earlier, and not only that but the Maple Leafs could have definitely traded Marner at the deadline last year -- had it been to the right team.
Mitch Marner's future could have been much different
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs were trying to get Marner to accept a deal to Carolina but were unsure however the forward was seemingly open to a move out west:
According to several sources, the Maple Leafs were told sometime before the New Year by Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, that the winger might consider a trade to a Western Conference contender. (Ferris did not agree to be interviewed for this story.)
No specific team and it was not a demand, but the message was received.
No specific team and it was not a demand, but the message was received.
Also per Friedman's article, the Maple Leafs were trying to build a package around Martin Necas however the team believed Marner wouldn't want to go to Carolina if he was set on going west:
Toronto did investigate trade options. Carolina offered Martin Necas, but the Maple Leafs did not think Marner would waive for the Hurricanes.
But with the Maple Leafs unable to pull of a deal, they added Nicolas Roy instead on the day before free agency and while it's been a solid season for Roy, having a player like Necas would have been a huge boost to the offense.
All eyes on Marner's return to Toronto
Marner makes his return to Toronto for the first time and it's hard to judge exactly what the reaction is going to be.
On one hand, it's very likely that the team is going to have some type of tribute video or package to commemorate his time, and while his actions may rub some the wrong way -- his talent and accomplishments in Toronto deserve credit.
But at the same time you have a volatile fanbase who is already dealing with a losing streak, injuries, frustration towards management and a ton of ill will towards Marner.
It's very likely then we also hear a thunderous chorus of boos from the Maple Leafs fans, and every time he touches the puck it will be anything but silent.
While there is definitely some anger held towards Marner for how he conducted himself in the last year, the best thing for fans is to not bring any more attention to their former forward.
And the team needs to do the same and give him a homecoming he'll remember, or rather one he'd like to forget.
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