More Details Emerge Regarding Mitch Marner's Mysterious Absence
With Mitch Marner a game-time decision vs. the Calgary Flames, it seems the Maple Leafs are playing a bit coy with what's really going on with their star forward.
For the majority of the season, Toronto has dealt with a lot of injuries to some very important players, and though the team has been able to weather the storm, they've at least had their MVP Mitch Marner doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
But his absence at back to back practices left fans extremely concnered about his status and whether or not they should brace themselves for an extended leave; and it seems his teammates and head coach aren't too sure either.
Maple Leafs Keeping Quiet Regarding Mitch Marner Injury Update
There was very little information given out regarding what happened to Marner. Head coach Craig Berube was his usual temperament with his comments:
Just not feeling right in certain areas, so we're trying to work on it.
Trying to get him ready."
It's a tad concerning when the head coach has no idea what's happening, and the fact there was something seemingly sprung from nothing is a definite cause for concern.
His teammates were left clueless to why he was hurt as well. William Nylander seemed to have no indication there was anything wrong:
John Tavares, who is no stranger to injury and just himself recently returned after a scary leg injury, understands that the rigor of the season has a lot to do with Marner needing a physical break; even if it's a bit alarming:
Played great the other night. Hopefully he's a go tonight."
This season, Marner has 16 goals and 54 assists in 52 games and is playing the most minutes since 2020 at an average of 21:28; nearly a minute and a half above his career number.
He's the subject of a lot of talk recently regarding his future with the team and if there's a chance he could stick around after this year and thanks to an expanding salary cap could find himself one of the richest players in the NHL.
The Maple Leafs certainly hope he's a go tonight, as there's no doubt he's been the team's best player. He is on pace for 100+ points, and recently became the fastest Leaf to hit 70 points since Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk in 1993-94.
With Marner's status up in the air, the current plan is to have Max Domi slide up to the first line and play alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Domi has had success in the past with the captain, and head coach Craig Berube hopes that it can spark Domi's offense once again.
Toronto will be in tough on the road against Brad Treliving's old squad, as they take on another old face in Nazem Kadri against the Calgary Flames with the game scheduled for puck drop at 9pm ET.
