The twenty-seven-year-old Marner, who just completed his eighth year with the team and has nearly eclipsed 100 points three times over that span, appears to be on his way out of Toronto, if the price is right. It had been speculated that Marners camp may have already been approached with thoughts on how the club plans to proceed going into next season, and they gave him an ultimatum of sorts.
These talks may have centred around the idea that they were willing to work with him to seek a trade during the offseason, understanding that with a NMC they would require his permission in any scenario involving him. The reason the Maple Leafs would like this to be expedited is because they may have already decided that they are not going to resign him, and they'd like to get some assets back for him anyway.
The honest truth is that Mitch Marner has been the consummate professional for the Maple Leafs during the regular season but a ghost during the playoffs. While his rhetoric during post-game interviews has gotten quite old, you have to wonder if he is being honest or if he's just trying to fool everyone into believing he really loves being in Toronto. The most pressing thing to consider is whether he deserves it, his next contract will likely be around $100 million, and one must wonder if the Maple Leafs feel he deserves it or not.
