Given the no-movement clause tied to the final year of Marner’s contract in 2024-25, the discussion of his future has resulted in complete pandemonium across Leafs Nation.
Whether they like it or not, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in the limelight this offseason considering the polarizing situation of star forward Mitch Marner – and what to do with the 27-year-old.
In light of his comments on Leafs Morning Take Wednesday, Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman has received no shortage of backlash over the touchy subject of a potential Marner trade or any update for that matter. On Friday, in the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman announced a personal moratorium on discussing Marner's future due to the intense and divisive reactions to the subject.
“To end the news segment, I am going on a Mitch Marner moratorium. You cannot say anything about this topic without somebody going berserk,” Friedman told co-host Jeff Marek.
“This is why this is the hardest topic to discuss in the NHL. This is why it is so complicated to the future of this and the outcome of this is so complicated because you can’t say a thing without somebody getting mad. Even when you’re trying to not say anything remotely controversial, people are getting mad.”
This isn’t the first time that Friedman has noted the Marner/Toronto situation is a ‘delicacy’ after an image circulated online of Marner meeting with newly appointed head coach Craig Berube at a coffee shop at the beginning of June – noting at the time the goal was not to “pour gasoline on the fire”.
But it’s true. In one moment, a Marner trade seems like a legitimate possibility when in the blink of an eye, he can then become poised to remain in Toronto – and people are becoming restless. The temporary avoidance of the Marner chatter will help in staying neutral on what has been a rollercoaster of emotions and opinions since the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Between player and management, the two seem to be at a standstill. On one hand, his agent, Darren Ferris, has reportedly indicated that his client intends to play out the remainder of his deal in Toronto. On the other hand, general manager Brad Treliving hasn’t necessarily ruled out trading the forward but mentions that the team won’t make a trade for the sake of making one.
As we all know, Marner realistically holds all the cards conceiving his fate. With a no-movement clause tied to the final year of his contract in 2024-25, he will have the final say on any transaction that may come to fruition. In addition to this, Marner becomes eligible to sign an extension as soon as July 1. As the speculation continues, with time, the broadness and unclarity of this complexity should begin to clear.
