Maple Leafs Face Major Roadblock with Mitch Marner as Free Agency Nears

According to NHL Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner are nowhere near an extension, and are not going to work towards a potential sign-and-trade situation that sees Toronto get some assets back.

Dreger broke the news on TSN 1050's OverDrive program, stating the negotiation talks between the Leafs and Marner have broken down, making a potential sign and trade out of the question:

It's an unfortunate bit of news but after what we've learnt; is it really surprising?

Look, Marner is within his rights to not want to re-sign and test the market; John Tavares did it years ago too.

But Tavares didn't willingly prevent his team on multiple occasions from acquiring assets and making them worse while simultaneously saying "I love this team, I want to win with this team."

It was hypocritical, it was selfish, and Marner's ego got the better of him. If you know you're not committed to your team, and they have the chance to win but you're not a part of it; how egotistical to think you be the savior that can turn things around.

We know that Marner blocked a trade for Mikko Rantanen, and we know he blocked several attempts at trying to head out of town. Why would he think of helping now, if not then?

Though some have hope that Marner may have a change of heart, and leave Toronto on a bit of a high note.

It's his right to do what he wishes, but he's already made up his mind; so what's the game plan?

Is Marner bitter because he never got a pay raise over Auston Matthews? He's literally got nothing to lose by Toronto sending him somewhere he wants to be, while acquiring assets back.

It's not that he won't have his name etched in the record books, it's whether or not he's going to have an asterisk beside it. Not that he didn't earn it, but rather it being the mark of a supposed traitor.

Marner endured a lot in his time here, and he took it on the chin. But fans are not forgiving here, and the constant new developments that show Marner did not have the team's best intentions in mind do not do well for his future reputation.

He's painted as money-hungry, even reports earlier stated he wanted to be "the highest paid player in Toronto."

Is that the type of legacy you want to leave behind after so much goodwill earned over years in the community?

It seems Marner isn't too concerned, as long as the bank account has a few extra digits at the end of the day.