Yahoo Sports 'I'm Going To Let My Agent And Brad Do All The Talking': Mitch Marner Not Closing the Door to Mid-Season Contract Agreement with Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner hopes he can only wear one NHL jersey throughout his career: A Toronto Maple Leafs one.
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The 27-year-old forward sat down with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman for a one-on-one interview during the team's jam-packed media day on Wednesday.
Although Marner said during his media availability that he wouldn't answer questions about his contract, Friedman asked if the forward wouldn't negotiate a new deal with Toronto in-season.
Thursday morning quick notes on Marner, Swayman, RFA and an agency partnership:https://t.co/UX3v47GXCW?
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 19, 2024
"I don't know if I would say that,” Marner told Friedman. “But I think for my sake, unless it gets really important or (I’m) really needed, I’m going to let my agent and Brad do all the talking and figure stuff out. I'm just going to focus on playing hockey and trying to help this team win games."
Marner is entering the final year of a six-year, $65.408 million deal he signed back in Sept. 2019. He's been eligible to sign an extension with the Maple Leafs since July 1, but as of right now, hasn't agreed to a new deal.
Friedman followed up on Marner's answer about negotiating a new contract in-season by referring back to his comments during his media day availability where he expressed why playing in Toronto is important to him.
"Obviously, growing up in this area, I've always been a Leafs fan. I've always wanted this team to succeed and win, just to see what that would feel like, you know, as a fan-wise, and now being a part of it, it's pretty special as I've stated on a lot of times," Marner said.
"But, it's my home, it's the place that I've grown up. I've got many, many memories of watching this team play on Saturday night hockey with my family, in the family room just sitting there for hours watching. And being able to live that dream is pretty special."
The NHL insider added that he couldn't imagine the Marham, Ontario, native in any other jersey but a Maple Leafs one, before asking Marner if he could ever picture it.
"I think you hope not, right? That's the whole goal," Marner said. "I mean, like I spoke on, I'm passionate about this team. I'm passionate about this fan base. So, I hope not."
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said during his media availability on Wednesday that he wouldn't be discussing contract negotiations with Marner, and John Tavares, publicly.
"Like I said, when I got here, having players like Mitch and John is one of the lures of coming here. When I talked to Craig (Berube) about coaching here, great players, and hopefully are going to be great Leafs for a long, long time," the GM said.
"As far as worrying about any contracts, those are things that we'll handle behind closed doors and if we have news to report, we'll report it."
Marner finished last season with 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 games. He missed significant time, from early March to early April with a high-ankle sprain. The forward started training camp on Thursday on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
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