Leafs' Mitch Marner says he 'loved being here' in Toronto, John Tavares expresses desire to return

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John Tavares sees the Maple Leafs in his future.

As for Mitch Marner, he’ll have to get back to you on that.

We didn’t get a similar sense from Marner on Tuesday as the Leafs held final media availabilities for coach Craig Berube and the team’s front-line players at the Ford Performance Centre.

It’s not to say Marner and the Leafs might not eventually settle on a new contract. It’s more that Marner wasn’t adamant about his desire one way or another. And really, that probably spoke loudly enough.

Given several chances to address his hockey future as he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, Marner returned to the same answer: He hasn’t given it much thought since the Leafs were eliminated in Game 7 by the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.

“Always loved my time here, I’ve loved being here,” Marner said. “Like I said to you guys the other night, I’ve been so grateful.

“Haven’t processed anything yet. It’s still so fresh and losing sucks.”

What will go into Marner’s decision about where he takes his next shift in the National Hockey League?

“It’s so fresh that it’s tough to really think about anything right now, about going forward and future-wise,” Marner said. “I was hoping to be playing a hockey game tonight (in the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes), and that’s not the outcome.

“Haven’t talked about anything. Next coming weeks, I’ll sit down with my wife and we’ll start talking and trying to figure out what the next steps are.”

Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, returned a message via text to the Toronto Sun on Tuesday night.

“With the season concluded, there’s naturally going to be speculation about what’s next,” Ferris said. “At this time, we’re not in a position to share any updates regarding future plans. These are private matters, and when there’s something definitive to communicate, we’ll do so through the proper channels.”

Tavares said he was “very optimistic that it can work out where I’m back, but haven’t put too much thought into it.”

Tavares also mentioned that his exit meetings with Berube and general manager Brad Treliving were positive.

What will go into Tavares’ decision? The Oakville native is going to be 35 in September and knows his $11-million US seasons are over, but he wants to be paid fairly with free agency looming.

“Everything plays into it,” Tavares said. “You want to make something work, you do everything you can to try to find what works on both sides and what’s fair for myself and my family and for the team and the club.

“I’ve expressed my desire to stay and wanting to make it work.”

If Marner has recorded his last point with the Leafs, he has done so as the fifth-leading scorer in franchise history. He has 741 points in 657 games, fewer than only Mats Sundin (987), Darryl Sittler (916), Dave Keon (858), Borje Salming (768).

Failure to make a difference in the playoffs would be just as big a piece of Marner’s legacy in Toronto. He has 63 points in 70 post-season games and has been part of a mere two series wins.

Berube, though, doesn’t have any interest in seeing Marner — who finally had his first 100-point season in the NHL in 2024-25 — wear another team’s colours next season and beyond. Nor Tavares, for that matter.

When we asked Berube if he would like both to be re-signed, his succinct answer left no doubt: “100%.”

On Marner specifically, Berube was clear.

“I love the guy and love coaching him,” Berube said. “Love his energy, personality. He’s a hell of a player.

“He does a lot for this team, night in, night out, a lot of different areas of the game. I have nothing but good things to say about him.”

Hear that, 31 other NHL teams? We’re sure you had an idea.

Where Marner and Tavares were on the same page was in regard to the pressure that comes with playing for the Leafs. The topic has taken on a life of its own after Panthers coach Paul Maurice and forward Matthew Tkachuk weighed in on it.

Does the outside noise really impact the Leafs’ ability to win?

“There’s pressure everywhere,” Marner said. “Doesn’t matter where you are. There’s always pressure. We put the most pressure on ourselves.

“You want to win every single year, and it’d be lovely if you could. It’s hard to do. We hold ourselves to such high accountability that the pressures from the outside I don’t think really bother you too much.”

Tavares spoke like the captain he once was.

“There’s an incredible following of the team and incredible passion about the club and the history around it, and that’s why it’s so special to play here,” Tavares said. “You feel that on a daily basis, and you recognize it, and it’s what makes it great.

“There’s pressure everywhere. Certainly there’s a lot of noise playing in Toronto. That can’t outweigh the pleasure and the privilege and the opportunity that it brings.”

Marner acknowledged that the spotlight can be tough on his family. No matter what he is saying — or not saying — about his future, he must know that the scrutiny will be a lot different if he is playing in another market come October.

“That’s what my wife and I have done such a good job of the last couple of years, not focusing on that (on the spotlight),” Marner said. “You can’t focus on that. There’s so much love and appreciation for yourself and from the fans out there. Just because you don’t hear it, it’s still out there.

“You’ve got the love of a lot of people and sometimes the noise you hear is not the one that you want, but that’s how it goes. I’m sure my family’s taking it hard, especially being in the crowd for a couple (of games), but that’s how this game of hockey goes. The passion that the city brings is something that you appreciate and love about it.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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