Mitch Marner addresses fans’ backlash in Toronto with free agency looming

All eyes will be on Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner once the postseason gets underway, not only because he is set to become a free agent in the summer, but especially to see how he will respond to the out noise ahead of the most important stretch of his career.

Just last month, Marner had a lot to deal with when the Maple Leafs reportedly asked him to waive his no-trade clause in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen ahead of this year’s deadline.

Marner elected to use his no-trade clause and remained in Toronto. But no one knows if that will still be the case if he hits free agency in July.

When speaking with Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, Marner did not reveal much on why he hasn’t signed an extension in Toronto yet.

“That’ll come when that’ll come.”

Marner did however address handling pressure in Toronto, where he’s faced more criticism than teammates Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander.

“We haven’t had success, but you have to block out all the noise. I think there’s a lot more negative than positive stuff constantly. You just want to focus on what you can do as a teammate, as a player on the ice, to help your team win games. That’s what I’m focused on now.”

Even since he was selected fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015, Marner had been forced to handle pressure in Toronto. He believes he’s gotten better at it.

“It’s not something you try to shy away from or be afraid of. It’s something you try to embrace, and I think I’ve done that. There are probably people out there with their opinions on it, but that’s why we don’t really give a s— about what people say. You just try to do what you do.”

Fans especially saw what he was capable of in high-pressured moments at the 4 Nations Face-Off when he set Sam Bennett’s game-tying goal and Connor McDavid’s overtime winner for Team Canada.

“Just confidence. I’ve always had belief in myself and that’s just how I try to play. Maybe just more belief and encouragement that you (can) thrive in those big moments.”

It just showed how confident Marner has been, especially as the Leafs’ MVP this season, currently tied for fourth in NHL scoring with 93 points. According to Daily Face-Off, that’s what could make him become the highest-paid winger in the NHL if he tests free agency this summer.

" Our friends at AFP Analytics projected Marner to earn $100.6 million on an eight-year deal ($12.6 million AAV) in their midseason projections. AFP’s final end-of-season projections are expected to be released in mid-May.”