NHL Experts Divided on Mitch Marner’s Maple Leafs Future

On Wednesday, a TSN panel featuring NHL insiders Jeff O’Neill, Carlo Colaiacovo, and Bob McKenzie gave their latest reads on where things might be heading.

O’Neill didn’t shy away from voicing doubts about Marner's future in Toronto.

“I’m gonna say 40 percent,” O'Neill said. “If the team does not have team success in the playoffs, then what’s the sense of bringing all the players back? 

"This is nothing against Mitch Marner—he’s a fantastic player. Someone’s going to pay him, but if he can’t win, then what’s the point in bringing everybody back?”

Colaiacovo was more optimistic.

“I'm high on this, I’m going 80 percent,” Colaiacovo said. “They are the Maple Leafs. They get to offer him the eighth year. They get to offer him the most money.

"He’s a hometown kid. I can’t see him playing anywhere but the Maple Leafs. He loves playing there. He's one of their best players, and I don't think they risk losing him for nothing. That's why I'm high on this.”

Finally, McKenzie echoed O'Neil's outlook with the same 40% odds and pointed out that Marner may already be eyeing the open market.

“I'd say 40 percent,” McKenzie said. ”There's the Mitch Marner side of it, that's what free agency is all about. It’s become abundantly clear he is taking himself to July 1st, to free agency.

”Would have signed a contract before if he wanted to? He doesn’t want to, he’s going to see what’s out there. Could (returning after getting to market) happen with Mitch in Toronto? Yeah, it could. But you know what? Situations change.”

For now, Toronto and Marner will focus on their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup against the Ottawa Senators with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday.