Winger Mitch Marner was wrapped up in drama and rumors for the bulk of his final years with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A move at the end of the controversial six-year, $65.41MM contract he signed in 2019 seemed all but certain as the summer approached – but despite that, teammate William Nylander emphasized that Marner was focused on the Leafs until the very end. Nylander told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger:
I actually asked him during the season and he said he was concentrating on Toronto. I didn’t want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us. Then I asked him after the season and he wasn’t sure.
Aside from wanting to avoid thinking of looming contract negotiations, it’s no surprise to hear Marner remained invested in Toronto. He was born in Markham and grew up playing for the Vaughan Kings and Don Mills Flyers AAA organizations. Marner moved right down the road for juniors hockey, joining the OHL’s London Knights for two superstar seasons, before being drafted by his hometown club with the fourth-overall pick in 2015. He stayed in London for one additional season, before diving into a career that would lead him through 657 games and 741 points in a Maple Leafs jersey.
Despite the fairytale matchup, Marner’s years in Toronto seemed to be clouded by stress. He was ridiculed for a lack of effort, poor results or attitude, and clashes with coaches or teammates. That includes one incident from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when Marner and Nylander exchanged heated words on the bench. Fans analyzed the event as signs of mounting tensions, but Nylander told Zeisberger that it was nothing to read into. He said that things happen in the heat of big games, and that it’s still tough to see Marner leave the club after nine years.
Nylander emphasized that Toronto will miss Marner both on and off of the ice. He leaves a monumental hole on the top line, after scoring a career-high 102 points in 81 games last season. That peak came after Marner rivaled the century mark for three straight seasons, even coming as close as 99 points in 80 games of the 2022-23 season. His breakthrough should provide the perfect ramp to another dazzling season among the Vegas Golden Knights’ star-studded lineup. After years of playing alongside Auston Matthews, Marner will now suit up next to Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, and should almost certainly provide the boost to help the former reach the 100-point mark as well.
Meanwhile, Nylander didn’t commit to filling Marner’s role on the top line next season. He said that he’ll be open to playing all throughout the lineup, and is only focused on dominating next season. Nylander also posted a career year last season, reaching a career-high 45 goals to round out 84 points, after he posted 40 goals and 98 points in 2023-24. It was Nylander’s third-straight year of playing in all 82 games. He’ll undeniably be the top bet to fill Marner’s impact, though Toronto may need to dig deep to fill the spot Nylander will vacate to step up in the lineup.
Lmao, sure Willy. Sure.
Leafs are going to miss Marner. Pressure is now squarely on Matthews – he’s not up to that pressure and this will get ugly.
Matthews has been given a pass each year. Toronto fans will need someone else to blame and Vegas will make a deep playoff run with Marner.
EMT: yes – Marner will thrive in the anonymity of Vegas. I wish him well.
Vegas is aging, and wont be contenders for too long, too many overpriced contracts to shed
Conn Smythe winner leading the playoffs in points.
While you’re right the management there has shown they will get things done to continue contending.
I mean it’s not hard to find greener pastures than Toronto. Why wouldn’t you leave a team that can’t do anything in the playoffs, is in a perpetual cap crunch and has an unreasonable fan base?
Glad Marner decided, Enough is enough, He was the BEST player on the Maple Leafs for quite awhile, And one of the top 200 foot players in world, I couldn’t be happier that he left Clown college!!!! The media, And the savage fanbase will have to find another scapegoat now.
Finally, a take Wilf, that can’t be completely laughed at.
Marner was a reason Matthews was considered a ++ defender.
I think they are both better defenders than they are often given credit for, but neither is elite. Seeing them play away from eachother for an extended time may show that. Or show we are both wrong and they are both better defenders than we give them credit for.
Either way, I am sure i will credit one much sooner than you will give credit to any NHL player. They will all still be unproven and paid too much and a 4th liner or too old and slow and a 4th liner.
Lies