While the Toronto Maple Leafs are just one game away from being eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, their fans were dealt a significant blow on Thursday morning.
Toronto jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, but an injury to starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz coupled with an unexpected offensive drought (the Maple Leafs have a combined five goals in Games 3-5), the Maple Leafs find themselves in a 3-2 series deficit and on the brink of going home.
Advertisement
As the team focuses on Friday’s must-win Game 6, it could be the last time Maple Leafs fans get to watch star forward Mitch Marner in a blue and white jersey.
According to a new report from The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, the odds are high that the 28-year-old Marner tests free agency and signs elsewhere once the season ends.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) shoots the puck.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“There is absolutely zero reason to believe that he’ll be signing another contract in Toronto on or before July 1 – not after refusing to negotiate an in-season extension with the Leafs or even considering a request from management to waive his no-movement clause at the trade deadline,” Johnston wrote. “Everything is lining up for him to walk free.”
Advertisement
Marner, who’s Toronto’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs (12 points), behind only William Nylander (15 points), will be the most sought-after player in free agency if he hits the open market.
The former No. 4 overall pick led the Maple Leafs with a career-high 102 points in 81 games during the regular season, and he’s scored 85 or more points in five of his last seven seasons, which include three 90-point seasons and one 100-point season.
Johnston speculates Marner wants a fresh start with another team out of the shadow of Nylander, Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
“Unless the Leafs can pick themselves up off the mat and win Game 6 on the road in Florida on Friday night, this may be how it ends for Marner in Toronto,” he added.
Related: Matthew Tkachuk Sparks Outrage After Mitch Marner Video Surfaces
Related: NHL Makes Historic Mikael Granlund Announcement After Stars’ Game 4 Win