Fans React to Definitive Report on Mitch Marner's Future with Maple Leafs

Fans React to Definitive Report on Mitch Marner's Future with Maple Leafs originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ long summer of speculation turned a sharp corner Friday after NHL insider Andy Strickland provided a definitive report on Mitch Marner's future in Toronto.

According to Strickland, Marner will not be returning to the Maple Leafs.

"Can confirm Mitch Marner will not be returning to Toronto. Will be playing for a new team come next season. #LeafsForever," Strickland wrote on X.

The 28-year-old forward, who posted a career-high 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists in 81 regular-season games) this past season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing a six-year, $65.41 million contract.

Marner added 13 points in 13 postseason games before the Leafs were eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Now, unless Toronto pulls off an improbable late pivot, the Marner era appears over after nine seasons in Ontario.

Hockey fans wasted no time reacting to Strickland's report on X, with their comments showing a mix of frustration, resignation, and sarcasm.

"Management made a massive mistake by not trading Marner. Left with nothing," @citchmook posted.

"Anyone saying we 'let him walk for nothing' doesn't realize in a hard cap, we now have 14m to acquire other players," user @DirkdLion wrote.

"Good luck to Mitch. I doubt he'll ever win a Cup. He'll be like his pals, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau," added @Mauerback.

"Good riddance. We gave him 9 years and several chances... So long and don't let the puck hit you on the way out," @Peekalit opined.

"The Leafs are going to use Marner’s $14m to pay forwards who will put up 49 points," @GoSensGo2006 joked.

"Definitely confirming something that was suspected even before the Leafs were eliminated," @IFANnetwork25 acknowledged.

"Let’s see how all the wonderful fans in Toronto react... I’m sure they’ll just wish him well and thank him for his efforts like they all told us we should do when JT left here, right?" @VoiceIslanderFn sarcastically wrote.