It wasn’t meant to be for the Maple Leafs, for the 9th consecutive season. After beginning the series in solid fashion, winning the opening two games against the Panthers, they lost their way from there. Eventually, the Maple Leafs were knocked out of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 4-3, after losing game 7. It was a tough loss to digest for the Maple Leafs stars and things went from bad to worse as Mitch Marner now faces an uncertain future. However, the team’s captain, Auston Matthews, had something to say in this regard.
Despite the fact that Marner is the team’s alternate captain and has been in Toronto since 2016 after being drafted in 2015, rumors continue to swirl about his future. With the clock ticking on Marner’s stint in Toronto as he approaches free agency, the choice between leaving or working out a new deal with the Maple Leafs has been up in the air. In a now deleted tweet by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, he wrote, “John Tavares says he wants to come back. Mitch Marner said it’s too early to discuss his future.”
Naturally Matthews was asked about the situation though he chose to focus on his relationship with Marner. During an interview after their loss against the Panthers yesterday, Matthews said, “He’s like a brother to me and you know to all of us I think we’re a very tight-knit group and um you know we obviously love him to death that’s all I can really say about that.”
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs May 14, 2025 Toronto, Ontario, CAN Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner 16 skates against the Florida Panthers during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto Scotiabank Arena Ontario CAN, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxE.xSokolowskix 20250514_mcd_ss9_190
Meanwhile, it is no secret that Matthews and Marner share a close bond while playing together. The two have openly admitted their close friendship despite being rivals on the international circuit. The two squared off against each other at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year, with Marner’s Canada winning the tournament. Nonetheless, the two share a longstanding mutual respect for each other having played with the Maple Leafs together since the 2016-17 season.
Further, with the team bowing out of the Stanley Cup race with a 6-1 loss against the Panthers yesterday, it could bring down curtains on Marner’s stint with this team. After the game yesterday, Marner shared his thoughts on the team’s disappointing exit.
Mitch Marner was devastated with the outcome
In what could be his last NHL game in Maple Leafs jersey, Marner gave his all but couldn’t help his team through. With free agency approaching, Marner faced an uncertain future and he wasn’t happy as the team’s hopes of winning the Stanley Cup crashed. During the post-game interview, to say he was disappointed would be an understatement.
He said, “We’re not happy with that outcome, either. I’m feeling the same way. It’s heartbreaking. It’s something you don’t enjoy. I’m pretty devastated with what just happened, devastated. I’ve always enjoyed this team and this city. I haven’t thought about anything. I just thought about coming here every day and trying to put my best foot forward and help this team win hockey games, and help try to win that ultimate goal. We fell short.”
Meanwhile, it was contrasting emotions in the Panthers dugout, after having made a thrilling comeback in the series. At a time when they looked down and out, the entire team stood up to keep their hopes of defending the Stanley Cup title alive. They will next face the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the Washington Capitals. Can the Panthers go on to defend their Stanley Cup title? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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