"He’s become the lightning rod for this entire team" - Top NHL insider opines on Mitch Marner's future with Maple Leafs

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Jul 09, 2024 16:37 GMT

Mitch Marner has been a key player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he is now the subject of trade rumors. Most players experience such speculation at some point in their careers, and Marner is no exception. Whether or not he will leave Toronto remains to be seen, but the rumors are rampant. However, one NHL insider does not believe the athlete will be traded and cautioned the team against doing it.

Chris Johnston said on his eponymous podcast:

"I've already said it's more likely than not. I just don't see a trade coming, but who knows? I can't say with 100% certainty, but it feels like he's starting next season in Toronto." [Time stamp - 38:45]

When asked about a part of the team's fanbase not wanting Marner with the franchise and what the athlete thinks about that, Johnston said how Marner has become a target of the fan's ire:

"Mitch has been around long enough to know how fickle fans can be in both directions, and I'm sure it's in his mind, 'I'm gonna play so well that they've got no choice but to love me again.' Not to say that people don't love him.

"I think that he’s become the lightning rod for this entire team. It's not just the Leafs' inability to progress long in the playoffs. ... It's a team-wide issue, right? ... It's not one player or one person's fault. But a lot of energy goes in his direction. I would just say what I think what people want in Toronto is a team that wins." [Time stamp - 39:52]

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Mitch Marner wants to stay in Toronto

In early May, Mitch Marner made plain how he feels about Toronto and what he wants for his future. Per Heavy, the NHL star wants to stay with the Maple Leafs and continue what he started:

“That’d be a goal. I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I’ve grown up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out… It means the world to me."

Mitch Marner wants to stay with the Maple Leafs (Image credit: Getty)

He said that the fan base treats Maple Leafs players incredibly well, something that may not be always true in other cities.