Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner in a press conference.
Photo credit: Screenshot

The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner addressed the media about his future in the organization as he enters the final season of his contract.

Following a rough playoff run with the Leafs last season, Marner has been involved in plenty of rumors, puting doubts over his future as a Maple Leafs player.

With only a year left on Marner’s $10,903,000 AAV deal signed in 2019, general manager Brad Treliving will have difficult choices to make. Trading him could bring a lot to the organization in return, but it would also be a risk. Marner is an exceptional player with a promising future in the NHL. There’s no doubt that he could help the Leafs achieve their long term goals.

As speculations suggested he could’ve already played his last game with the Leafs, Marner opened up about his current mindset going into the next season with the Leafs.

Here’s what he said in an interview:

“I love being here, I’ve been saying that from Day 1. I’m very fortunate and lucky to be a Maple Leaf.”

“We’re just excited; it’s a lot of the same group that we’ve had,» Marner said of the upcoming season.”

“We know we’re a great team, and it’s just about making sure every single summer you put the work in, you get ready to go, and you get geared up for the new one.”

Marner’s professionalism and leadership remained untainted despite being under everyone’s scrutiny; the biggest proof that he can take the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto.

His former teammate, Zach Bogosian, recently made a massive declaration about Marner, saying he doesn’t deserve to face such heat from everyone.

Read the comment he made on the Cam and Strick podcast here:

“I don’t understand why everyone is always up his a*s about everything. I mean, that kid is such a good kid. He’s a good leader, he’s always trying to take care of everyone around the locker room.”

“I’ve played with a lot of guys. He is as good of a person and a teammate as I’ve ever seen.”

Mitch Marner and the revamped Maple Leafs, led by Auston Matthews, will be in a great position to finally go all the way next season. In the coming months, it’ll be interesting to monitor Marner’s contract situation in Toronto. Stay tuned to get the latest developments on that topic.