The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ two top pending free agents were not keen on their contract statuses being the focus with training camp starting.
With players speaking for the opening of camp Wednesday, it was expected that both Mitch Marner and John Tavares would be asked about any updates on their contract negotiations.
In his opening statement, Marner made it clear that he wanted to talk about what was happening on the ice.
“Obviously, there’s going to be some contract questions, but I’m not here to talk about that,” Marner told reporters. “Like I said in the captaincy media availability. I’m very happy to be a Maple Leafs. It’s an unbelievable privilege, but I’m not here to talk about that (his contract); I’m here to talk about the season and getting going.”
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Marner’s future with his hometown club was a hot topic this off-season and likely will be throughout the course of the season. The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, but the team might have a tough time paying him the contract he is looking for after the team has signed prior extensions awarded to Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly.
Marner’s role with the team was also under the microscope after this spring’s first-round loss to the Boston Bruins in seven games. Marner scored 26 goals and 85 points in 69 games last season, but the Bruins held him to just one goal and two assists in the series.
Many players have come to Marner’s defence, including Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who trained with the Leafs forward during a gathering of elite NHL talent at a recent camp in Vail, Colo.
“Marner gets a lot of flak in Toronto,” he said. “But he’s honestly one of the best players in the league. I play with some of the best players in the league, and then I skate with Marns, and he’s right up there with anyone. Especially at that camp, there was a lot of good players.
“He stuck out as one of the best.”
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Newly named Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been impressed with how Marner has handled all the discussion about his contract status, something he’s dealt with himself.
“I think he’s dealt with it great and I think he’s had a great summer,” Matthews told reporters. “I think with all the noise you can only control so much. I think he’s put in a lot of work. He looks great on the ice, off the ice, focused and we’re all here to support him as teammates and as a team. I don’t think that stuff’s really affected him or it’s going to affect him much at all.”
When it comes to his future, Tavares said he isn’t going to focus on his contract status but did say his priority is to stay in Toronto.
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“I want to be here and be here long term,” Tavares said. “So, hopefully that happens.”
Toronto decided to transition the captaincy from Tavares, who held the role for five seasons, to Matthews this past off-season. He is in the final year of his seven-year contract that he signed as a free agent back in 2018.
The 33-year-old saw a dip in his offensive production last season, as he had 29 goals and 65 points in 80 games.
“From a personal standpoint, it’s been a very good off-season,” he said. “I’m as driven as I’ve ever been throughout the course of my career.”
