Despite widespread rumors about Mitch Marner’s future, seeing him leave the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason still felt unreal to many, including former teammate William Nylander. Nylander revealed that Marner remained focused on helping the Maple Leafs win their first Stanley Cup since 1967 right up until his departure.
“Not sure where that stuff comes from, but I don’t think he was ever thinking of leaving ahead of time,”
Nylander told NHL.com.
“I actually asked him during the season and he said he was concentrating on Toronto. I didn’t want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us. Then I asked him after the season and he wasn’t sure.”
—William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
The Details Behind Marner’s Move to Vegas
After nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, 28-year-old Mitch Marner left his hometown team in a sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Marner signed an eight-year contract worth $96 million, which carries a $12 million cap hit. This transition marked a significant change for both Marner and the Maple Leafs roster.
For Nylander, the departure means losing a longtime linemate, yet he expressed happiness for Marner’s new opportunity and the lucrative contract he secured.
“It’s tough seeing him go but I’m so happy for him and his family,”
Nylander said.
“He got to pick where he went so, in that aspect, I’m happy for him. We’re going to miss him a lot but that’s just the business of the sport. That’s the way it is. So we’ve got to regroup as a team and figure out a way to keep winning games.”
—William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
Reflecting on Their Time Together on and off the Ice
Nylander and Marner’s partnership produced impressive results over the years, although it was not without a few moments of tension. During the previous season’s first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Nylander reportedly told Marner to “grow up” on the bench. However, Nylander downplayed any negativity, emphasizing the competitive nature of hockey.
“It’s hockey,” Nylander said.
“Things happen in the heat of battle. There was too much read into that. We came in and played our first full season together and our friendship just grew from there. He’s an incredible person. Off the ice too. He was the one making sure that we had team events like Halloween parties, dinners, all those kind of events. He would set those things up. Somebody’s going to have to take on that role now because he did an incredible job doing all that stuff.”
—William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
“And then, just being a friend on the side, just an incredible guy. I could always talk to him about whatever. He’ll be missed. And for what he does on the ice, just an incredible player.”
—William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs forward
Looking Ahead: The Maple Leafs Without Marner
Marner’s departure signals the start of a new chapter for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their devoted fanbase, who have long awaited postseason success. With Nylander and the rest of the team needing to adjust, the challenge will be to find ways to maintain and build upon their competitive edge without their former star winger.
The Maple Leafs face the task of regrouping and striving for victories that could finally break their Stanley Cup drought, while also replacing the key leadership role Marner filled off the ice.