Mitch Marner cancels annual charity event in Toronto in ominous sign for free agent

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In another signal that the Mitch Marner era is over in Toronto, his annual All-Star Invitational event for his charitable foundation has been cancelled.

It was scheduled for July 10-11 at the Toronto Events Centre and usually has a number of NHL and special guests to meet and see compete.

“The event is not happening this year,” confirmed a spokesperson to Postmedia. “But please note, the Marner Assist Foundation will continue to honour all its commitments made to our charitable partners in the communities we serve. We are grateful to all that support MAF as volunteers, donors, and sponsors.”

Marner had held the event annually since 2018, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clock has been ticking on Marner’s decade as a Leaf since he was again not able to augment his regular-season production in key playoff games, particularly with goals.

Then came general manager Brad Treliving’s post-season statement that a change in “DNA” was needed on the roster, with the Leafs unable to get past the second round since Marner and the ‘Core Four’ Leafs came together in 2018.

While the Leafs are expected to at least discuss an offer of some kind, they’re wary of over-paying him after putting down $11 million a season the past few years.

It has been speculated Marner will ask for as much as $14 million annually in landing spots such as Vegas, Carolina and Utah. Marner used his no-movement clause to stop a proposed March deadline trade to Carolina for Mikko Rantanen.

Marner is coming off his first 100-point season with 27 goals and 75 assists, but again failed to step up his play in the post-season.

lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby