Mitch Marner media storm leads to multiple UFAs turning down Maple Leafs' offers
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has confirmed that multiple free agents crossed the Maple Leafs off their list due to the media and fans' treatment of Mitch Marner.
Friedman revealed the news on Tuesday during an appearance on The Real Kyper and Bourne show following a very busy day one of free agency that saw over $1 billion worth of contracts handed out, between UFA deals and teams announcing lucrative extensions.
"It's funny because one player told me that there are some players who have kind of watched from outside, about what's gone on with this whole [Mitch] Marner thing over the last month or two and were like, 'I want no part of that. Like, I don't want any part of that...'
I think there were some players who were like, 'Nope. That's not going to be me.'"
I think there were some players who were like, 'Nope. That's not going to be me.'"
Obviously, Toronto is a very passionate market and the demands are incredibly high. Not everyone is going to want to commit to playing in a market like that, so in that sense, I get it. However, it certainly hasn't stopped other players from coming to Toronto and managing that pressure just fine.
The reality is that everyone simply wants results. If the Maple Leafs were to actually win when it matters and go on a lengthy run in the postseason every year, I don't think the market would be even half as volatile as it is now. However, routine failure does funny things to people and all of the added pressure is more just a market starved for success than anything else.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 3 | 920 ANSWERS Mitch Marner media storm leads to multiple UFAs turning down Maple Leafs' offers Do you believe there were really players who turned down offers from the Leafs to avoid the volatile Toronto market? | ||
| Yes, of course | 712 | 77.4 % |
| No, I doubt it | 208 | 22.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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