Kofi Inkoom
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still uncertain about Mitch Marner’s future with the team, despite the player’s clear desire to stay. According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show, the Leafs haven’t made a firm decision on trading Marner, nor has his camp provided a list of preferred trade destinations.
“The Leafs are not leaning on Mitch Marner right now,” Johnston said. “They have not decided 100 percent they have to trade him and or that they’re going to make life uncomfortable and they’re getting the list of names. None of that’s what’s going on.”
Johnston emphasized that Marner wants to stay with the Maple Leafs, and there’s a chance he’ll continue with the team into the 2024-25 season. Marner has repeatedly expressed his commitment to the franchise during end-of-season media sessions and has never indicated a desire to leave.
“The fact that Mitch Marner is willing to play this right out until next summer and potentially chase free agency then, I think it’s very possible that he remains a member of the Maple Leafs,” Johnston said. “It’s way too soon to declare that’s going to happen, I’m certainly not doing so. But they and he have to live with the fact that it’s going to be hard to line up something that satisfies everyone here. Is it a team and city that Mitch is comfortable with? Is it a trade return that makes the Leafs go, ‘you know what, while we’re in a Cup window, let’s pull the trigger on this deal!’ At the end of the day, Mitch himself. He’s rather inclined to remain a Maple Leaf, so everyone should brace for the possibility he’s back with that team next season.”
Sources suggest that the Vegas Golden Knights might be interested in Marner. The 27-year-old is valuable on the market, and some teams are keen to see if they can acquire a superstar at a potentially lower cost. Until a trade happens or the Maple Leafs sign him to a long-term contract, Marner’s future remains a hot topic.