Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discuss the Toronto Maple Leafs. Parker Wotherspoon and Mitch Marner [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2MjQ2NjQ5OTEwMDExMjkx/usatsi_23132854.jpg] Parker Wotherspoon and Mitch Marner While the Toronto Maple Leafs' fan base continues to want to run Mitch Marner out of town after yet another early playoff exit, more and more teams appear to be lining up for his services. After all, who wouldn't want a high-scoring winger on their team? So far, the growing list includes everyone from Pittsburgh and Columbus to Chicago and Anaheim. Even Utah fans, who don't even have a team name to cheer for, would happily take him off the Leafs' hands if Marner becomes available this summer. And why wouldn't they? Marner is only 27 years old and has just one more year remaining on his contract. He's scored 94 or more points three times in his career. And while he only has one playoff win so far, he has produced 50 points in 57 post-season games, so it's not like he completely disappears, as some other publications have suggested. When asked about Marner, who has become a scapegoat for the Leafs' first-round exit, Hall of Fame centre Adam Oates said the blame should be spread around. "Careful," Oates told The Cam & Strick Podcast recently. "Their power play was 1-for-20. Is that his fault? He's part of the power play. He's part of it. But it's a slippery slope. Who's helping him? Who's giving him a life line? That's an incredibly difficult market, as we know. "(Auston) Matthews only got one. (John) Tavares only got one. (William) Nylander only got one. And he only got one. So why is he the fall guy every year? "He's got to take some responsibility himself, of course. So here's another thing. Let's say the D doesn't break them out. Because we have four front-loaded contract, the D doesn't break us out. Is that Marner's fault? It's tough to produce when we don't get the puck past center." Oates knows what he is talking about. As a player, he picked up 1,079 assists in 1,337 games and was considered one of the greatest passers of all time. Oates is a main reason why Brett Hull scored a career-high 86 goals and two other times reached the 70-goal mark. Marner, who is one of the reasons why Matthews scored 69 goals this season, is also regarded as one of the NHL's top playmakers. And, with a $10.9-million cap hit, he is paid to produce. But that salary and that star power comes at a cost. Marner told reporters that he feels that Toronto players are looked upon as a gods in the city. However, fanaticism can cut both ways. With the Leafs constantly falling short in the playoffs, someone needs to be blamed for failing to win a championship. And right now, it's been Marner who has the CN Tower-sized target on his back. "It's never one guy. Honestly, I'm mad that no one in Toronto has come out and said, 'Hey, that was a neutral zone forecheck. That's not Mitch. Stop trying to blame him for everything." In other words, Marner has a lot of fans — just not as many as he used to living inside Toronto. Of course, we've known this for a while now. Back when the Leafs lost in the first round in 2022, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he'd put Marner on his team in a heartbeat. "I’ve been behind the bench with Mitch Marner. I’ve been behind the bench with Auston Matthews," said Cooper. “And if those guys became available, I would be first in line to put them on my team.” Apparently, Cooper is not the only one who feels that way. The question is whether the Leafs will ask Marner to waive his no-trade clause. And if that happens, whether Marner will agree to it. Because we know that there are 31 other teams who would love to have him on their roster. Who knows, a change of scenery might be the best thing to happen to him. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
