There’s a few ways you can take a headline like that. Obviously, the leading point-scorer of the Toronto Maple Leafs is an adult now, as he will turn 28 years old this May.
One may think that I’m implying that Marner has, until now, been acting like a child, either in the way he carries himself on the ice, or in the way he deals with Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving. Marner, of course, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, free to sign with any team.
That’s not what I mean to suggest. What I’m saying is that some in the media, based on their analysis of Marner’s impending free agency, seem to think that his decision on whether or not to re-sign with Toronto will be based on the emotional state of a six-year-old.
For example, I read several opinions that Treliving made a grave error in asking Marner if he wanted to waive his no-movement-clause and accept a trade to Carolina as part of a deal for Mikko Rantanen (who was subsequently dealt to the Dallas Stars). The thinking is that Marner will feel unwanted and that the Leafs wanted to at least get something for him because they intend to let him walk after this season.
The reality of this is that the NHL is a business, and the Toronto Maple Leafs were simply doing their due diligence. By asking Marner directly if he plans to leave Toronto and if he would prefer to be dealt before the trade deadline, Treliving at least covered that possibility. Nobody knows what Mitch will end up doing (probably not even the player himself), so everyone has to play each of their cards as time passes.
Marner has been in the NHL long enough now to know that no offense was meant by Treliving and he will certainly understand why the GM had to ask the question. It’s highly unlikely there were temper tantrums at the Marner household afterwards.
What's next between Marner and the Maple Leafs?
The next card to be played is Marner’s. Given that he has stated he will not discuss a new contract with the Leafs during the season, these discussions will take place once the playoffs are done. If Marner knows he definitely wants to stay in Toronto, and can negotiate an acceptable contract amount/length, he will do so without testing the market.
If Marner isn’t sure about spending the remainder of his prime as a Toronto Maple Leaf (or if he plans to make use of a tool to potentially squeeze more money from Treliving), he will start talking to other teams July 1, and go from there. This is the more likely scenario, and Leafs fans should not be upset if things get to this point. Remember, this is simply business.
Loyalty and “hometown discounts” are not owed by or to anyone or any team. They are choices. Both Marner and Treliving understand this, and will go through the process trying to do what is best for their side.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to utilize the cap money they have for what they think is the best possible outcome. That means an evaluation of what Marner offers for $11-14M per year (approximately) versus what they can get for that money with other free agents.
From Marner’s perspective? If you recall his previous contract negotiations six years ago (when Mitch was still a fresh-faced 21-year-old), the talk was that money demands (see contract details per puckpedia.com) were being driven by Mitch’s father, Paul Marner, and notoriously stubborn agent Darren Ferris. Many fans felt that then-GM Kyle Dubas caved and simply gave the Marner camp whatever they wanted.
Here we are now in 2025, and as previously asserted by me, “Mitch Marner is No Longer A Child”. Paul is still his dad, Ferris is still his agent, but Marner is now an experienced NHL’er, with a lot more life experience, and probably knows what is truly important to him as a person.
He’s married now, his wife is expecting a baby, he has earned about $70M USD so far, and only he knows his thoughts about staying in Toronto or moving to another NHL team.
Marner WILL get paid, no matter where he plays, or whether or not he's the highest paid player on the team. Given where he is in life outside of hockey, I think it’s unlikely that he will make a decision based on who will pay him the most. More likely is that he will decide first where he wants to play, based on factors such as opportunity to win a Stanley Cup, who he wants as teammates, where he and his wife want to live and raise their family, and how much it means to him to stay close to where he grew up.
Once THAT decision is made, then the tactics come into play as to how to get the best contract from that particular team.
His decision will not be influenced because his feelings were hurt by Brad Treliving asking if he wants to leave town. His choice will be his. If Paul or Darren disagree, they will be told. Mitch Marner is now an adult who holds some pretty good cards, and he’ll play them as he sees fit.