Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Mitch Marner still worried about what fans think about him
The Toronto Maple Leafs are anticipated to trade for Mitch Marner this summer, but Elliotte Friedman reports that Marner seems to still be worried about what fans think.
There have been whispers that Mitch Marner will be the team's sacrifice ever since the Boston Bruins ousted the Toronto Maple Leafs from the playoffs. It's said that the gifted winger is being used as a prop for the team's entire history of postseason disappointments. With Toronto attempting to restructure their squad, Marner is probably headed for the door.
As much as the Maple Leafs may insist on making adjustments, Marner really has the final say. Mitch Marner has a no movement clause in his current deal, which gives him the power to refuse any move to any team at any moment. He's adamant about not moving at all, despite some reports suggesting he may be open to moving to specific places others say.
On this morning's 32 Thoughts Podcast Elliotte Friedman shared the following update:
Don't be surprised, if the situation with Marner plays out through next year. Everyone is determined to look like a winner. Leafs want to win the trade or be able to use the cap space to make a big swing.
People around Marner aren't going to agree to anything that puts them in a bad light. There is some real concern how fans will react to Marner if he starts next year unsigned. He has to understand some of the fan base will not like it and he has to be comfortable with that and be able to play through it.
The other thing is that many believe is that this could be Kadri 2.0 where Marner goes somewhere else where the spotlight is less intense and goes out and becomes a contributor on a Stanley Cup Champion.
People around Marner aren't going to agree to anything that puts them in a bad light. There is some real concern how fans will react to Marner if he starts next year unsigned. He has to understand some of the fan base will not like it and he has to be comfortable with that and be able to play through it.
The other thing is that many believe is that this could be Kadri 2.0 where Marner goes somewhere else where the spotlight is less intense and goes out and becomes a contributor on a Stanley Cup Champion.
The Maple Leafs may have to walk the forward to free agency the next season if the Marner problem is not settled before the season begins. That's where Marner runs into difficulties, which could end up costing the forward a lot of money.
Marner will only be able to sign a 7-year deal if the Maple Leafs decide to let him go as a free agency this summer. There could be a big pay loss because no other team will be able to give him an eighth year. Therefore, Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs need to get together and decide what is best for everyone.
If Mitch Marner and his supporters care more about public opinion than anything else, they have severely misplaced priorities.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 178 ANSWERS Mitch Marner still worried about what fans think about him What will happen with Mitch Marner? | ||
| He'll be traded | 106 | 59.6 % |
| He stays in Toronto and signs an extension | 43 | 24.2 % |
| The Leafs let him walk | 29 | 16.3 % |
| List of polls | ||