Why Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs Deserve a Better Season: A Closer Look

Ten years ago, the Maple Leafs faced a pivotal moment. After a rough 68-point season, they were ready to make big decisions during the draft in Florida. Coach Mike Babcock, with his hefty eight-year contract, pushed for a defenceman like Noah Hanifin or Ivan Provorov. But interim GM Mark Hunter went with his own choice, selecting forward Mitch Marner, someone he’d known well from his time with the OHL’s London Knights.

Hunter believed Marner, a local talent, could thrive under the pressure of playing in Toronto. “He’s going to be a good player for the Maple Leafs,” Hunter stated in 2015. He wasn’t just good; Marner became one of the franchise’s all-time greats. He sits high on the list of points per game for players with at least 300 games, trailing only Auston Matthews and Doug Gilmour. He also holds impressive assist records, including a remarkable 75 assists last season.

Unlike his co-star Matthews, who grew up in California, Marner was a hometown hero, having cheered for the Leafs since childhood. He even donned Gilmour’s No. 93 during his junior years. Their story seemed like a perfect match.

Yet, what should have been a fairytale turned sour. The relationship between Marner and the Leafs grew increasingly strained, culminating in his recent move to the Vegas Golden Knights.

### Early Success but Lingering Problems

Marner’s debut season in 2016 was electrifying. Alongside Matthews and William Nylander, he quickly stood out with his unique skills. The young Leafs were thrilling to watch. A tough playoff loss to the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in 2017 hinted at their potential. In the 2018 playoffs, Marner dazzled fans, but the Eastern Conference battles were fierce, and the Bruins proved too tough.

As Marner rose to prominence, there were underlying tensions. Babcock’s treatment of him raised eyebrows. His request for Marner to rank teammates’ work ethic was particularly controversial. Unlike Matthews, Marner faced different expectations and scrutiny, which his father, Paul, openly criticized. “It’s because he’s like this happy-go-lucky little kid,” Paul remarked, highlighting the frustration of not seeing Marner considered for leadership roles.

### Contract Negotiations and Increased Pressure

In 2018, the Leafs underwent a front-office shakeup, hiring Kyle Dubas, a fresh face without extensive management experience. The looming question was Marner’s contract extension. As Marner’s performance improved, so did expectations. His agent, Darren Ferris, revealed that the team’s initial contract offer felt low, igniting public discontent.

Marner’s playoff heroics continued, but the contract saga overshadowed his talent. After a drawn-out negotiation process, Marner eventually signed a lucrative deal but faced backlash from frustrated fans. Many felt he represented a team wrestling with identity and expectations.

### The Lost Joy

After several playoff hardships, including embarrassing losses, Marner’s spirit seemed to wane. He struggled under the immense pressure in Toronto. Following a failed playoff run, Marner sought guidance from Greg Harden, a renowned performance coach. The aim was to rediscover joy in the game. Remarkably, Marner rebounded with a standout season, achieving career-high points despite ongoing media scrutiny.

However, the team’s playoff failures continued to plague him. Even when he performed well during the regular season, the mounting criticism following each postseason defeat strained his relationship with fans.

### Tensions Reach a Breaking Point

In 2023, Marner returned for the season looking out of sorts. Although he showed moments of greatness, the joy seemed absent. Coach Keefe hinted at Marner’s struggles, yet the scrutiny only intensified. By the playoffs, Marner had again faltered, and the disappointment culminated in another series loss against the Bruins.

As conversations of trades began to swirl, it became clear that Marner’s future with the Leafs was precarious. Despite being offered a legacy role on the team, Marner opted for a fresh start in Vegas, abandoning the weight of expectations in Toronto.

Marner’s journey reflects the complexities of ambition, homecoming, and pressure. He could have been a legend in Toronto, yet the burdens of high expectations and relentless scrutiny turned his story into one of what could have been. Now, he stands at a new beginning in Vegas, leaving behind a bittersweet legacy in Toronto, where he was both loved and criticized.



Source link

Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, NHL