Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Ideas: The Podcast – And Then There Have been Two (Canadian Groups) episode on the way forward for Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Mitch Marner.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
“Now Marner, I feel the factor there’s going to be this, sure, he has management over the state of affairs along with his no-move clause. However I feel there’s a few questions right here.
Primary. How does he really feel? Does, as he gotten to a degree the place he thinks long-term its simply higher for him to be some place else?
He was tentative, he was nervous throughout these playoffs. You might see it. (Auston) Matthews had his moments. (William) Nylander had his moments after he got here again. (John) Tavaras had a giant second within the sport 5 extra time winner in Boston. Marner by no means actually had a second.
And now due to the place we’re within the calendar of his contract, that turns into white sizzling beneath the microscope. And to me the primary query is, what does he suppose? Does any a part of him suppose that it’s time?
Now you need to at all times watch out with this as a result of we’re 24 to 48 hours after the emotion of a troublesome defeat, however I do suppose it’s potential that he’ll give it some thought. It doesn’t imply that he comes proper out and tells the Leafs, ‘get me out of right here.’ However I do suppose a minimum of there shall be a Marner collective, as within the individuals round him dialog about perhaps is it higher to go some place else?
Now, I don’t know if he’s gonna say that publicly. It’s most likely not in his greatest curiosity to say that publicly. However I do suppose on some stage, like particularly the individuals who symbolize him, you’re not doing all of your job, when you don’t a minimum of say, ‘Mitch, would this be higher for you?’
Now quantity two a part of that equation is the group. Do they suppose it’s time? As a result of sure, whereas Marner has the ability of the no-move clause, the Maple Leafs energy is to say, look, we’re not, if we’re not providing you what you need. We’re not even certain that, they usually might go full bore scorched earth. They may say, ‘not solely are we not providing you what we, need what you need, however we’re pondering that perhaps it’s higher if we simply use the cap room.’
After which they will say when you don’t need to play ball with us, that’s wonderful. We are able to play it out subsequent 12 months. However what it means is, you’re not going to get your extension right here and also you’re not going to get the eighth 12 months. That’s what Toronto can do. If that’s what they need to do. Trigger individuals are saying there’s nothing that Maple Leafs can do. That’s not true. They don’t have the hammer, however they’ve one thing and it’s that.
To allow them to form of drive the state of affairs and say, ‘Look, guys, that is what we’re going to do. That is how we’re going to deal with it. And you may resolve to work with us now or you may resolve to make your choice later.’
They’ll try this. The form of identical factor occurred with Nylander, however Nylander performed so properly he satisfied them to maintain him.
So I feel that’s form of the place we’re proper now.”