'Try Not To Focus On Everything Else That Can Swirl Around': Maple Leafs' John Tavares Believes Mitch Marner Is Handling Season Of Uncertainty Well

Both Tavares and Marner are in the final years of their deals with the Maple Leafs.

Mar 5, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) celebrates with Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe (22) after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

John Tavares understands what Mitch Marner is going through this season.

Eight seasons ago, the 34-year-old was in the final year of his contract with the New York Islanders. He played out his last season with the club before joining the Maple Leafs on a seven-year, $77 million contract.

Marner, a career Maple Leaf thus far, is in the same situation this year: In the final season of his contract, potentially entering free agency with a profusion of teams lining up for his services.

It remains unknown if Marner, like Tavares, will leave the team that drafted him. However, he has mentioned that he wants to stay in Toronto beyond this season. There's been a lot of noise, yet Marner is on pace for a career year, already scoring 21 goals and 61 assists for 82 points in 66 games.

"He's been great. The easiest part, I think, probably when there's a lot of noise around things, is when you just can go out there and put your gear on and play and do what you've done your whole life and something that you love to do," Tavares said of Marner when asked about how he's handled the noise this season. "To play for this club, and certainly being from the GTA, from the city, I know how much he enjoys it and appreciates it...

"Just with the locker room, with the support around, it's a very tight-knit room, it's a brotherhood in a lot of ways, and how we're always there to support each other and just the enjoyment of going out there, going through the daily grind and everything you do to get ready to play, and then once you're in competition, you just engulf yourself in that and I think that's what he's done. And try not to focus on everything else that can swirl around."

But what does Tavares remember about his final season in Long Island? Did he have that same mentality in a year filled with uncertainty?

"Yeah. Like I said for me, since I was a kid, I just enjoyed going out and playing the game. The way, personally, I felt when I was getting started at five, six years old and all the way up through minor hockey, junior hockey, and becoming a professional, the enjoyment and the excitement of putting my gear on and going to play the game is always been the same," Tavares said.

"That becomes so engrained that that becomes the best and easiest part, especially when there's a lot of other things going on. When you're a professional at this level, and the amount of attention, the things that come with that, you just kind of fall back on the game itself and what makes it great. And your enjoyment for that and the type of player that you are.

Tavares, though, is in the same boat as Marner regarding a contract. He's in the final year of the deal he signed back in July 2018, and it's still uncertain if he'll return next season.

The veteran forward has also mentioned wanting to remain in Toronto. Given his age and the amount he'll likely command on his next deal, it appears more likely that he'll stay after this season.

After rumors surfaced following the NHL’s trade deadline that the Toronto Maple Leafs had considered trading Mitch Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, John Tavares was asked about his own future with the team following Toronto’s 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.

thehockeynews.com‘I Love It Here, I’ve Said I Want To Stay’: John Tavares Reaffirms Commitment To Maple Leafs Amid Contract Uncertainty Following Loss To AvalancheAfter rumors surfaced following the NHL’s trade deadline that the Toronto Maple Leafs had considered trading Mitch Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, John Tavares was asked about his own future with the team following Toronto’s 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.

"I love it here. I’ve said that I want to stay, and the team wants to take its time, which I totally get," Tavares said following their loss to the Avalanche on Mar. 8.

"They know how I feel and want to make things work, so there will be time for that. Right now, we’re focused on earning a playoff spot and doing something special this year. That time will come."

Whatever happens with Marner remains up in the air, but it's fairly clear he's having one of his best seasons in the NHL during a time when uncertainty is at its highest.

'Try Not To Focus On Everything Else That Can Swirl Around': Maple Leafs' John Tavares Believes Mitch Marner Is Handling Season Of Uncertainty Well

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