The Toronto Maple Leafs officially named Auston Matthews as the 26th captain in franchise history on August 14 but it was obvious media members would tackle a particular attendee and shower him with questions about his future: superstar forward Mitch Marner.
The announcement was made official in an event that brought together several current and former Leafs players and executives, including Marner.
Although the winger was not the main attraction of the evening, he addressed his own uncertain future with the team briefly at the event when asked about it.
“I’m not going to get into that too much today,” Marner said. “I’m just going to say I love being here, I’ve said that from Day 1. I’m very fortunate and lucky to be a Maple Leaf. Today is about these two amazing people.”
Marner, who is entering the final season of his six-year, $65 million contract, has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason following another disappointing postseason.
Marner also touched on the viral photograph of him meeting privately with new Leafs head coach Craig Berube at a coffee shop leaked in May 2024. That picture sparked widespread speculation on social media, as many fans understood it as a breakup meeting between both parties.
“Craig has been awesome,” Marner said. “That one was pretty funny to get out, a little coffee shop in Etobicoke, and there were only a couple of people in there. It’s been great talking to him all summer. We’re excited for this year, we’re excited to get it going. He’s been a joyful new mind and we’re excited to play under him.”
Marner is coming off scoring 85 points in 69 games during the 2023-24 regular season and carries a large $10.9 million cap hit for next season.
The forward is already eligible to sign an extension but as of now, all signs point to him entering next year without an offer on his table potentially playing out his current contract and leaving Toronto for free in July 2025.