It’s beginning to feel inevitable that Mitch Marner’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs is ending. Whether it’s the lingering fallout from his 2019 contract negotiations or his lack of offensive impact in critical playoff games, the noise around a potential Marner exit is louder than ever. But before the Maple Leafs move on from the longest-tenured member of their Core Four, it’s worth pausing to ask: what exactly would they be losing?
Marner Is Elite, Despite the Noise: Why NHL Insiders Still Rank Marner Among the NHL’s Best
Earlier this season, Scott Maxwell of the Daily Faceoff ranked Marner as one of the best right-wingers in the entire NHL. That’s no small praise. Last season, he was named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team, a recognition that reflects league-wide respect for his skill, creativity, and defensive awareness. He’s a genuine two-way player who regularly earns Selke Trophy votes—something few top-line wingers can claim.
Despite that, many fans in Toronto still haven’t embraced him fully. A look at the comment sections of articles about Marner reveals a familiar list of grievances. First, he has a huge salary-cap hit. However, at the same time, his playoff scoring has dipped. Third, he has a reputation for turnovers or underwhelming power-play production. While some of those criticisms have merit, they don’t tell the whole story of a player who plays significant minutes, leads the penalty kill, and consistently finishes among team leaders in scoring.
If Marner Goes, What’s Left Behind? The On-Ice and Off-Ice Gap Marner’s Exit Could Create
There’s no doubt Marner has flaws—his Maple Leafs contract was bloated when signed, and his playoff struggles are real. But if he leaves, the Maple Leafs aren’t just losing a high-end winger. They’re losing a first-unit penalty killer, one of the league’s best transition playmakers, and a homegrown face of the franchise. Those qualities aren’t easily replaced, even with the $11 million in cap relief his departure would offer.
If Marner’s time in Toronto is over, the team will have made a tough but perhaps necessary decision. Still, it’s important not to let criticism obscure his true value. The Maple Leafs will miss more than just points if he’s gone. They’ll miss a foundational piece of their on-ice identity.
Even if he leaves now, he’ll be remembered as a huge part of the Maple Leafs legacy.
