Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore has advised Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner in light of ongoing trade rumors surrounding him. Marner is in the final year of a six-year, $65.41 million contract signed in 2019, prompting speculation about his future with the team. Despite expectations of a potential trade, Marner is set to begin the upcoming season with Toronto.
Commodore suggests that Marner should play out the remainder of his contract and then explore free agency, drawing comparisons to LeBron James’s decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in pursuit of a championship. Commodore questions the Leafs’ strategy of potentially giving Marner a significant raise and suggests considering trading him to free up salary cap space for other acquisitions.
He shared his thoughts with Bodog, highlighting Marner’s no-move clause and the potential benefits of trading him for assets that could benefit the team in other areas, such as acquiring players in the mold of Craig Berube.
Mike Commodore has suggested that if he were Mitch Marner, he might consider leaving Toronto after feeling that things haven’t quite panned out despite his abilities as a good player. Drawing a parallel to LeBron James’s famous decision to “take my talents elsewhere,” Commodore implies that Marner could explore options beyond Toronto, although Marner currently holds a full no-movement clause in his contract, giving him control over any potential trade.
Marner Wants to Remain With the Maple Leafs
Despite this advice, Marner himself has expressed a strong desire to stay with the Maple Leafs. Following the team’s playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins, Marner emphasized his love for Toronto, where he grew up. He appreciates the city’s passionate fan base and the admiration shown, similar to the support for the Raptors players after their NBA championship win in 2019.
As discussions and rumors about Marner’s future continue, Craig Berube, the newly appointed head coach of the Maple Leafs, has expressed enthusiasm about coaching Marner. Berube, known for his coaching stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and leading the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019, views Marner as a player of character and integrity and looks forward to working closely with him in the upcoming seasons.
