Controversial Reporter Reveals Why Mitch Marner Is Probably Leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner is currently in a contract negotiation with the Toronto Maple Leafs and there is currently a ton of anxiety surrounding the situation.

The superstar forward has told the Leafs that he will not be negotiating until after the season which means it is very likely he tests free agency.

Marner's big issue over the years has been his playoff performance so while it is anxiety-inducing to have the forward refuse a deal, it is an opportunity for the franchise to properly assess the situation at hand.

In a new column from controversial Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons, it was revealed that there is one big reason why Marner may run during the offseason.

Essentially, he is done being the team's "whipping boy" or as he put it, "pinata." Whenever the team is playing poorly, Mitch certainly gets his fair share of the blame and it seems like the Toronto media is weighing on him.

At the end of the day, if his play in the playoffs was better, he wouldn't be getting hit with these kinds of comments. That is just the way it is in the NHL.

If Mitch Marner does leave, then the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to go after guys like Sam Bennett, who have shown great interest in the franchise.

That said, losing a hometown guy because he doesn't like the media will be a pretty hard pill to swallow for a lot of people.

One has to wonder if the media needs to chill going forward given everything we now know about all of the guys who have left because of them.

However, Toronto is a big market and things are just going to be like this forever. So if you want to play here, you better get used to it.