Maple Leafs Urged to Move On From Mitch Marner: 'Nine Years Is An Eternity'

The Toronto Maple Leafs face another offseason of reckoning after being dismantled 6-1 on Sunday by the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of their second-round series.With Mitch Marners future uncertain as he's set to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1, the debate around his role in Toronto continues to intensify, and his future is in the air.Marner, 28, just completed a career-best regular season with 102 points in 81 games but was held to one assist and three shots across the final four games of the series.That said, the winger's inconsistency in the playoffs has emerged once again, especially after fans at Scotiabank Arena booed him during the Game 7 loss and he was visibly agitated.Bryan Hayes 3 things the Maple Leafs HAVE to do.

@HayesTSN#DominosThatsHockeyVIDEO: https://t.co/z90pfJQPDepic.twitter.com/f4bt8yRX1Z TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 19, 2025Speaking on TSN after the Leafs' Game 7 loss, Bryan Hayes said the time has come for the organization to make a change."Nine years in pro sports is an eternity," Hayes said.

"Its time for Mitch Marner to move on, and I think thats in the best interest of the team."Hayes acknowledged Marners offensive brilliance in the regular season but stressed that playoff failures have defined his tenure."In the biggest games, it just hasnt been there for him," Hayes said.

"The team tried to commit to Marner.

He chose not to do that.

Now they need to shake his hand and let him go."Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16).Dan HamiltonMarner told reporters after the loss that he was "pretty devastated," while declining to discuss his future.

He said being drafted by the Leafs "meant everything" to him, and he remains "forever grateful" to wear the jersey.Its meant everything, Marner said.

They took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto.

Ive been forever grateful to be able to wear this Maple Leaf and be a part of some of the great legends here.

Never taken a day for granted and always loved it.Still, Hayes argued Toronto cannot afford to lock in another major contract near the expected $13 million per season Marner would command, according to The Fourth Period.Related: Auston Matthews' Leadership Questioned By Former Maple Leafs PlayerRelated: Mitch Marner's First Words After Possible Last Game with Maple Leafs.

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article:

https://athlonsports.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/maple-leafs-urged-to-move-on-from-mitch-marner-nine-years-is-an-eternity