Mitch Marner opens up about importance of belief, blocking out the noise ahead of playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is arguably the most compelling player entering this year’s playoffs, and he’s doing his all to block out the noise ahead of the most important stretch of his career.

Marner is a pending unrestricted free agent and the narratives surrounding him have amplified, after it was reported that the Maple Leafs asked him to waive his no-trade clause in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen ahead of this year’s deadline. Rantanen was reportedly willing to sign with the Leafs, but Marner elected to use his no-trade clause, and the power forward was dealt to the Dallas Stars, immediately signing an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually.

Toronto hasn’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs during Marner’s tenure, and the star winger is often considered the fall guy. Marner spoke to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel during the team’s road trip to California at the end of March, where he spoke about his expectations for the postseason and more.

“We can always do better, especially with how our playoffs have gone,” Marner said. “Obviously we’re not satisfied with just making it and having the results that we’ve had. Just having the belief; we know we have the belief. It’s just executing that and staying patient with it, knowing not every game is gonna be an easy one or everything’s gonna go your way. It’s gonna be some ups and downs and it’s just like the (regular) season, you’ve just gotta ride it out and stay with the belief and calmness that you have.”

Marner has been the Maple Leafs’ MVP this season, currently tied for fourth in NHL scoring with 93 points, while playing in all situations. He could become the highest-paid winger in the NHL if he tests free agency, and he’s ranked as the top pending unrestricted free agent by Daily Faceoff, with teammate John Tavares sitting third, although Tavares is widely expected to re-sign with the Maple Leafs.

Since the beginning of training camp, Marner has constantly repeated that he’s leaving his contract up to his agent, Darren Ferris, and he won’t discuss it with the media. Marner stuck to his stance, telling The Athletic that he’s just here to play hockey. It could make for an uncomfortable summer, with the prospect of Marner leaving the Maple Leafs with nothing in return, becoming more plausible.

“We haven’t had success, but you have to block out all the noise,” Marner said. “I think there’s a lot more negative than positive stuff constantly. You just want to focus on what you can do as a teammate, as a player on the ice, to help your team win games. That’s what I’m focused on now.”

Marner would instantly become one of the Maple Leafs’ all-time greats with a new deal, but he’s making the ultimate bet on himself and by extension, his team. If he delivers a strong playoff performance, which would constitute an appearance in the conference finals or greater, Marner could get everything he wants with the Maple Leafs and a statue on Legends Row. He won’t have any shortage of suitors on the open market.

All that matters is the present for the Maple Leafs and for Marner, that’s where his focus is ahead of the most pivotal season of the past decade.