William Nylander Finally Clears the Air on Mitch Marner Rumors in New Interview
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander revealed that Mitch Marner didn't want to leave ahead of time in a new interview, but also mentioned he was unsure at times.
The end of Mitch Marner in Toronto didn't have the ending fans had hoped for. Unsuccessful in the postseason yet again, Marner decided he wanted to head elsewhere and held out last minute until essentially facilitated a deal to the Vegas Golden Knights.
It concluded a tense back and forth and Marner's repeated comments about wanting to focus on playing and forgo any potential future destinations came off as a bit disingenuous, however that may not be the case.
That is, if you ask William Nylander.
Nylander Sets the Record Straight on Marner's Focus
«Not sure where that stuff comes from, but I don't think he was ever thinking of leaving ahead of time. I actually asked him during the season and he said he was concentrating on Toronto.
I didn't want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us.
I didn't want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us.
The Maple Leafs forward, who spoke recently to NHL.com ahead of the European Player Media Tour, said Marner's intentions were always team first, and that he wasn't ready to give up until the bitter end, and we should be inclined to believe him.
It's a sign of a great teammate to not push their teammates too much lest they create more tension, and it seemed Marner's word was good enough for the Swedish superstar.
However, he did say post-playoffs that Marner wasn't exactly committed to the future either:
I asked him after the season and he wasn't sure.
Why Nylander's Comments Matter for the Maple Leafs Moving Forward
Nylander and Marner are close friends and it seems like the trade to Vegas isn't going to dissuade the two from being amicable off the ice, but don't expect pleasantries when they meet this upcoming season.
His explanation won't ease fans' anger and frustration at how Marner conducted himself this season, though it seems now those rejected and vetoed trades were actually Marner's way of trying to commit to the team without worrying about his future; confirming Nylander's comments.
But he also knows that Marner is going to be a huge loss, and he knows that the team is going to have to pull up their bootstraps to get work done:
We're going to miss him a lot but that's just the business of the sport. That's the way it is. So we've got to regroup as a team and figure out a way to keep winning games.
It should at least give fans a better idea of the fact that while Marner was unsure about his future post-playoffs; he was committed to Toronto even if he didn't necessarily produce.
Why Nylander's Perspective Hits Home With Fans
Among the stoic John Tavares, and the reserved and polite Auston Matthews lies William Nylander; Toronto's "heartthrob" who fans adore for his elite talent, boyish charm and infectious smile.
If there's anyone fans love to cheer on a nightly basis it's Nylander, and knowing that he and his teammates need to pick up the slack then it should motivate him to be even better; which will resonate even more with fans.
Fans have every right to be concerned about how the team will react without Marner, but Nylander is in the thick of his prime, with the potential to get 50+ goals and has a couple of brand new playmakers to work with along with Tavares.
With the expectations reaching peak levels this season, Nylander seems up to the task and if his last few seasons are any indication: He might be the reason Toronto succeeds without Marner.
TRENDING NOW
