Talk about how to improve the team, whether the culture needs to change, and whether a change involving one of the Core Four is imminent has been prevalent in hockey circles ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.
Recently, Paul Bissonnette, analyst for The NHL on TNT, and cohost of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, revealed that he had heard from sources that the Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner, and his camp are negotiating a contract to keep the 27-year-old right winger in the lineup for the near future.
It is not shocking to learn that Marner and the Maple Leafs will soon extend their contract. Craig Berube was spotted in a coffee shop with the new bench boss after he was recruited, and it's assumed that Berube wants to help Marner improve so that he may continue to be a significant role in all areas of the game.
Even though it makes perfect sense, Marner's criticism from both the media and supporters—who are simply weary and desperate for the team to succeed—has seemed a little unfair.
Even though watching Marner has been frustrating at times, as one of the more consistent players over the last eight years, why would the team even consider letting him go? With a new coach in charge behind the bench and another year of Brad Treliving and company in the board room, it's possible that the team looks different anyway in the coming years.
Trading Marner might not be the answer that everyone hopes and expects to happen, even though it's obvious that something needs to be done to improve the team's situation. It will be intriguing to see what management can do to position the squad for success in the upcoming season, with nine weeks remaining in the summer.
