Welcome to another edition of NHL rumours. The Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in another Game 7, this time it was to the Florida Panthers on Sunday. It was an ugly ending to a 6-1 loss, with fans throwing multiple jerseys, beers and other debris onto the ice in the final moments. However, general manager Brad Treliving and his team will have to move on. Despite the painful loss, there are new concerns as free agency approaches. Now that the Leafs have officially hit the offseason, conversations about Mitch Marner and John Tavares’ contracts have already started.
Marner and Tavares Need New Contracts
It didn’t take long for the topic of contracts and free agency to come up for Marner and Tavares. Furthermore, they were asked about their future with the Maple Leafs, just moments after being eliminated from the playoffs. Both forwards had different answers in terms of how transparent and direct they were with their responses. Marner and Tavares are hometown players, coming off of two long-term contracts with the team.
Tavares Wants To Stay
Toronto’s former captain made it clear what his intentions are with the Maple Leafs. Tavares was asked after the game about what it meant to him to represent the Maple Leafs and the city of Toronto. “It’s meant everything to me,” the 34-year-old told reporters. “It was a big decision I made seven years ago, I loved it. It’s been amazing for myself and my family.” He was given a follow-up question, which asked if he wanted to come back. Tavares simply said, “Yes.”
Tavares is a player and person who is typically well-spoken and provides textbook answers in front of the camera. However, he was noticeably emotional and at times answered questions using one word or sentence.
The Mississauga, Ont. native referenced his big decision to join the Leafs seven years ago. He turned down teams ready to pay him $13 million per season to join his hometown team. He ended up signing a seven-year, $11-million contract with Toronto and received the captaincy after one season with the Maple Leafs. Going into this season, Tavares and the team passed the ‘C’ to Auston Matthews, and it changed a lot. In terms of goals, Tavares went on to play his best regular season since his first year in Toronto. He scored 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games for the Leafs this season.
Marner Doesn’t Have A Straight Answer
Marner undoubtedly gets the most spotlight while playing for the Maple Leafs. He gets it from fans all over the hockey community, as well as the media. However, the noise around him has never been louder than it is right now.
After the game, he was asked a similar question to Tavares on what it meant to be a Leaf and his future. “I don’t have any thoughts right now (about the future),” Marner told reporters. He always kept his responses short regarding contracts and off-ice topics of that nature. He was later asked what it’s been like to be a Leaf. “It’s meant everything. (They) took a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto, and I’ve been forever grateful to be able to wear this maple leaf and to be a part of some of the great legends here… I never taken a day for granted, and I always loved it,” Marner said.
Chris Johnston reported for The Athletic that there seems to be a growing sense that Marner won’t sign an extension with Toronto. While nothing is certain, and the player hasn’t said anything to sway in one direction or another, he could be getting a change of scenery. Marner is coming off a six-year deal that paid him $10.903 million per season.
The 28-year-old is coming off a career-best season. He reached 100 points for the first time in his career, scoring 27 goals and 102 points this campaign. In the playoffs, he was a point-per-game, tallying two goals and 13 points.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Star Players Speak On Their Future With The Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.