Former Maple Leafs Teammate Reveals How Mitch Marner Situation Will Play Out

There are those that believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should bring Mitch Marner back into the fold over the summer, and those that believe the team should let the pending free agent walk.

The ongoing debate is now being weighed in on by a friend and former teammate of Marner's, who says he doesn't believe the sitiuation will be resolved before July 1, when Marner can officially take offers from other teams.

Mark Giordano played with the Maple Leafs for parts of three seasons from 2021 to 2024. During an appearance on TSN 1050's First Up, Giordano said he has first-hand knowledge of how much Marner loves playing in Toronto and for the Maple Leafs, but he firmly believes he will wait until free agency opens and listen to offers before deciding anything.

It was pointed out on the show that Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, likely also wants him to wait until he can hear offers from other teams. Ferris just happens to be the agent for the Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett, who is also likely to get a huge payday by waiting until July 1 to make a decision.

If Leafs GM Brad Treliving is unable to re-sign Marner before he gets an attractive offer from another team, his absence will leave a big hole to fill that one former Toronto GM insists will create a huge challenge. Brian Burke has said Toronto will have issues on the trade market and in free agency simply because players are choosing not to play for Canadian teams.