Imagine pouring your heart into a season, only to watch it unravel with a crushing defeat. Well, a 1-6 loss for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews and his squad can’t get over it. How could they? After all, for all the players and the teams, the weight of the loss was just more than mere numbers—it was personal. “We just weren’t on the same page and they get a couple goals and momentum like that and then you’re chasing the game and its hard to get it back when you’re down three against a good team that plays sound defensively like them,” said Matthews. However, in the midst of it all, it wasn’t only the loss upset Leafs fans but also the atmosphere surrounding the players going to hit free agency soon. Such as Mitch Marner.

The real cause for concern is the fact that his future continues to be up in the air; there’s been no real confirmation on whether he’ll stay or look to extend his time in Toronto. Now that the Leafs are officially in the off season, it’s the big elephant in the room and naturally Marner was asked about it during his post-match interview. His reply? “I don’t have any thoughts right now,” he said plainly. “I mean, yeah, like I said, pretty devastated with what just happened, you know yeah devastated.”

However, if talks don’t progress with the Leafs, it might not be that inconceivable a notion that we see Marner donning colors that aren’t blue and white come fall. With just over 6 weeks until he hits UFA status, he could very well become the NHL’s highest profile free agent this summer.

But when it was about the team’s failures, Marner, a Toronto boy, alone took more blame than he probably deserved in the league. Because Toronto has only won 2 out of 11 playoff series during his time, which eventually added to the pressure he’s faced so far. However, despite facing some tough times, Marner couldn’t speak any less than highly when he said, “I’ve always enjoyed this team and, you know, this city, like, like I’ve always said.”  

But when another reporter asked again if Marner had any thoughts of moving he reiterated the same stance. “Like I said I haven’t thought about anything. Just thought about coming everyday and trying to put my best foot forward and help this team win hockey games and help try to win that ultimate goal.“

While Mitch Marner didn’t reveal anything new about his future, he’s not the only Leaf who might be headed out of Toronto by becoming a free agent.

Who other than Mitch Marner will hit free agency soon?

With the weight of another painful playoff exit hanging heavily over Toronto, it looks like now they find themselves at yet another turning point. Because tough decisions are brewing for the team’s core that might look very different in the coming months. Alongside Marner, there is the former captain, John Tavares, power winger Matthew Knies, and the president of the team too – Brendan Shanahan’s contract that is set to expire.  Elliotte Friedman confirmed.

But alongside Mitch Marner, it’s Tavares too who stands out the most, not for who they are, but for what they represent. Because the former captain’s leadership and experience have been cornerstones for the Leafs, and yet his future remains up in the air. Hence, with the rumors swirling and pressure building, Friedman noted, “Keith Pelley has some decisions to make. I think (head coach Craig) Berube is going to have a big voice about the players.” 

With the future of these three players remaining uncertain, the Maple Leafs might find themselves at the crossroads of unmet expectations from these players and early playoff exits that have now left fans and the franchise frustrated. As the hockey world watches and waits, the biggest question that concerns it is—will this be the summer for the Leafs to finally break the cycle—or start all over again