Nathan MacKinnon believes Maple Leafs' $65.41M star was treated as a scapegoat after first-round playoff exit

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Sep 10, 2024 22:10 GMT

Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon gave his take on how fans and the media have treated Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner this offseason.

MacKinnon sympathized with Marner, whose current $55.41 million contract expires at the end of this upcoming season, following Toronto’s first-round playoff exit.

MacKinnon said on Tuesday (per The Hockey News’ Michael Traikos):

“I think Marner got a lot of flak. He’s one of the best players in the league. Toronto, I definitely feel for them.”

MacKinnon would know how that feels. Colorado faced similar criticism before the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup win due to the team’s inability to make headway in the playoffs. The Avalanche had multiple early playoff exits, including a stunning first-round loss to the Seattle Kraken in 2023.

MacKinnon’s words come on the heels of the time he and Marner spent skating this summer. Both stars had a chance to get to know each other better. Perhaps MacKinnon’s experience through adversity and as a Stanley Cup champion can help Marner better manage the scrutiny this upcoming season.

In the meantime, both players will be looking to be ready for the opening of training camp. The Avalanche and Maple Leafs will be in the hunt for the Stanley Cup this upcoming season.

Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs are comfortable taking things slow

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason was getting Marner's contract extended before the start of the season. But as training camp approaches, there’s little sense of a deal getting done.

Insider Darren Dreger said (per The Hockey News):

“I think they’re in a good place. But I don’t want to misconstrue that, with the belief that an extension is looking, it’s going to happen quickly. I think both sides are okay with that.”

“I don't get the sense that there's contract pressure on Marner. He's happy for it to be quiet. There's good dialogue between Darren Ferris and Brad Treliving. They've got a good relationship. But they're not in heavy negotiations. And again, both sides are okay with that.”

While the wait-and-see attitude may be driving fans and the media crazy, it seems both sides are happy with a measured approach. Perhaps the focus is on seeing how well Marner and the Leafs play this upcoming season before finally committing to a new extension.