Toronto Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Former Leafs 50-Goal Scorer Tells Mitch Marner to Take a Hike
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski - Imagn Images
Former Toronto Maple Leafs icon and 50-goal scorer lets his feelings be known about Mitch Marner and what the club should do with his pending UFA status in limbo.
The elephant in the room in Toronto now stands on whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs should even entertain the idea of bringing Mitch Marner back into the fold.
When you factor in how much he is likely going to command on his next deal and the fact that Toronto needs to make drastic changes, it's lining up to be an eventful summer for all involved.
Several media members and former players have chimed in on what the Leafs should do with Marner, including former captain and legendary icon Rick Vaive, who was a little more upfront about his feelings than most.
Vaive believes that since Marner was a Toronto native, he should have known more than anyone what it means to don the Blue & White and what the media and the fans are expecting from you on a daily basis.
"I know that times have changed and players are more coddled, but I have to think the Toronto-area guys on this team know full well what's expected of them. Now that their season is over again, it's getting clear a player such as Mitch Marner isn't cut out for it.
I watch him during the national anthem and he seems nervous, I see his interviews and he's uncomfortable. When you get into a high-stakes playoff series against a team such as Florida, that's not a good look."
I watch him during the national anthem and he seems nervous, I see his interviews and he's uncomfortable. When you get into a high-stakes playoff series against a team such as Florida, that's not a good look."
He later adds that Marner's essentially just not cut out for a big market like Toronto and that the fact that he's so easily intimidated is more than enough of a reason for the Leafs to gracefully part ways without a second thought.
"I think Mitch gets intimidated. You look at him going for the puck and he's like a figure skater, afraid to get hit. As I've said before, a change of scenery will do him good, at the same time understanding how much he loves Toronto."
Vaive isn't the first former player to make a comment about Marner's status and he won't be the last as the next coming weeks will truly foreshadow his tenure with the Maple Leafs.
However, with news coming out that the Leafs are not going to renew team president Brendan Shanahan to a new contract, all signs point to a slew of changes that will more than likely end Marner's 9-year tenure with the Leafs.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 8531 ANSWERS Former Leafs 50-Goal Scorer Tells Mitch Marner to Take a Hike Do you agree with Rick Vaive's comments on Mitch Marner? | ||
| Yes, he's spot on | 6008 | 70.4 % |
| No, it's a little too harsh | 2523 | 29.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
