Mitch Marner's Decision to Leave Maple Leafs May Be Linked to Captaincy in Toronto
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro Imagn Images
Expected to find a new home in free agency, one of the reasons for Mitch Marner's departure from the Maple Leafs is reportedly due to how the captaincy was decided.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Mitch Marner would indeed be wearing a different jersey next season, but it wasn't for a lack of trying on the part of the Maple Leafs.
The Leafs have had their attempts to contact Marner ignored, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, as the former first-round pick begins to distance himself from Toronto.
Despite repeatedly saying he wanted to remain in Toronto, Marner has shown no intention to negotiate with the Leafs, even turning down a suspected offer in December that was reportedly worth $13.5M per season over 8 years.
Captaincy Decision May Have Played a Role in Mitch Marner's Decision to Leave the Maple Leafs
On Thursday's edition of TSN 1050's 'First Up', Aaron Korolnek and Dave Feschuk discussed Marner's decision to leave with Feschuk noting that the decision to name Auston Matthews captain caused a stir between Marner's camp and the Leafs.
"There have been multiple expressions of a feeling of lack of respect from the Marner camp over his time in Toronto.
We saw his dad talk about it at some point, why isn't he considered for the captaincy. We know that there has been a lot of back and forth with management about 'why did Auston Matthews get this and why didn't I get this' - and all good arguments...
There is a certain aspect of his camp and the way he has carried himself that says he hasn't had quite enough alpha dog treatment and this is his moment to get it."
We saw his dad talk about it at some point, why isn't he considered for the captaincy. We know that there has been a lot of back and forth with management about 'why did Auston Matthews get this and why didn't I get this' - and all good arguments...
There is a certain aspect of his camp and the way he has carried himself that says he hasn't had quite enough alpha dog treatment and this is his moment to get it."
This latest revelation doesn't come as much of a shock to Leafs Nation given how distant Marner has been since the end of the season and how he spoke to the media following the Leafs Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers.
If anything, it proves what many have been saying for quite some time. It's about him and has always been about him.
While beloved at times during his tenure with the Leafs, Marner became more distant this past season, and he shouldn't be shocked if he is welcomed back next season with a chorus of boos if he signs elsewhere.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 8682 ANSWERS Mitch Marner's Decision to Leave Maple Leafs May Be Linked to Captaincy in Toronto Do you think Mitch Marner has been treated unfairly in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 2167 | 25 % |
| Not at all, he's gotten everything he's wanted | 6515 | 75 % |
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