Toronto Maple Leafs Surprised by Mitch Marner's Bold Statement: Why Fans Should be Happy

PUBLICATION

Chris Gerics
September 23, 2024 (11:53)

SHARE THIS STORY

Mitch Marner gave Maple Leafs fans something to smile about, giving his humble and candid thoughts about what it's meant for him to be a part of the whole community.

The Toronto Maple Leafs offseason has been filled with a bunch of different emotions. Anticipation for the season to start, anxiety about several new signings including Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and a new head coach in Craig Berube, and a lot of question marks have come out surrounding the future of Mitch Marner as a Maple Leaf. Could he be traded? Will he take a discount to keep the Core Four together? Will he depart for a mega-deal in free agency? So many 'what ifs' that Marner gained a lot of flak this summer; especially since he was seen visiting carnivals and riding on a Sea-Doo with his dog Zeus.

But Marner has been a staple of this Maple Leafs team since 2016-2017 and while he hasn't seen much postseason success, he's been a solid offensive producer in that regard. He clearly wants to win here, and the love that Marner has shown to Toronto and its community through his philanthropic efforts show he's more than just a superstar on the ice. He won't speak about contract status, but he did sit down with Elliotte Friedman to speak about the Maple Leafs and their fans and had nothing but gracious and kind words for the city.

"Thank you. At some point in time, people probably looked at taking me with that pick was a little bit of a reach just with size and everything like that and not really knowing anyone's future. Looking back at it, it's so funny, my wife and I are always talking... it's crazy we're going into our ninth year in Toronto and every year brings a new challenge and a new blessing and we're fortunate for it all. Just the love you get outside of the rink in the hockey community is one of a kind and I get to see it first hand every time at my charity event throughout the summers and even just walking around the community. I'm very grateful and very fortunate to be a Maple Leaf."

Marner being as humble as he is despite his boyish nature is a huge testament to how much the former London Knight has matured in his career. Many fans were clamoring for Toronto to draft Noah Hanifin or Timo Meier but they went with Marner instead and in hindsight; it's been fantastic. Marner for his career has 194 goals and 445 assists in his 576 NHL games and those numbers are second to only Connor McDavid; in regards to players drafted in 2015. He's even above Colorado phenom Mikko Rantanen and #2 pick Jack Eichel. For his postseason career, Marner has put in a very respectable 50 points in 57 games, which actually leads the Maple Leafs Core Four in playoff production ahead of Auston Matthews' 48 points and William Nylander's 43. John Tavares only has 24 points as a member of the Maple Leafs in the playoffs; a number the team needs him add onto desperately.

Marner's offensive ability is something to behold. His lightning quick hands and playmaking vision has allowed Toronto to flourish in the regular season, and has statistically been their best playoff producer. Toronto is a worse team without him, and he is an integral part to the identity of the entire team and a community. You can't mention Nylander or Matthews without having Marner in there because he is just as important. His impact on the community is also something that cannot be overlooked; his work with his charity the Marner Assist Foundation has allowed countless kids to be able to have the resources needed in order to have the education, healthcare and assistance to have the most comfortable life possible.

Marner's statement about the foundation is all you need to hear:

«You've got a big spotlight on you (as a Maple Leaf) to change people's lives every day, and I think it's your choice to try to do that. I think if there's an opportunity that you can do something great with it, try and do it.» - Mitchell Marner

The spotlight will be on Marner this year as he tries to help Toronto bring a Stanley Cup back to the city. With all the questions surrounding his future as a Maple Leaf, his heart is ingrained deep within the city and its community and it'll be hard to see him anywhere else.

We're grateful for you too, Mitch.