Just two days after a season-ending 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs held their end-of-season media availability.

At the podium sat head coach Craig Berube, reflecting on his first year behind the bench in Toronto. While he discussed the team’s performance, areas for improvement, and his overall impressions of the season, it was his comments about two of the team’s biggest offseason question marks, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, that drew the most attention.

Marner and Tavares are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, with their respective long-term contracts now complete. Both players are members of the ‘Core Four,’ a group that has struggled to produce once again after the Leafs failed to make a deep playoff run. This era has made it to the second round twice in their tenure, only winning two rounds in nine years. 

When asked whether he would like to see general manager Brad Treliving attempt to re-sign Marner and Tavares, among other forward changes, Berube initially dodged the question.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” he said. “That’s for Brad to comment on that stuff. I’m not going to comment on those types of things right now, and I haven’t even talked to Brad about that. It’s hard for me to answer that question,” said Berube.

But when a follow-up asked whether he personally would like them to stay, Berube didn’t hesitate.

“100 percent,” he replied.

Where do Marner and Tavares stand?

Marner has now completed a six-year, $65.4 million contract and is coming off his first career 100-point season. While that production would make him highly valuable on the open market, there are doubts about whether Toronto is prepared to give him the raise he will likely command, especially given the lack of postseason success this group has had. 

The Leafs reportedly attempted to trade the 28-year-old at the trade deadline, though Marner was said to have declined to waive his no-movement clause in a proposed deal that would have sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen.

Reports: Hurricanes Asked Maple Leafs For Mitch Marner In Exchange For Mikko Rantanen Before NHL Trade Deadline Marner is in the final season of a six-year contract he signed with Toronto in September 2019.

Though it hinted that he wanted to remain a Maple Leaf, that assumption may have been premature. Marner’s camp made it clear there would be no in-season extension talks. The forward himself mentioned throughout the season that his focus was on hockey and helping the current Maple Leafs win, declining to speak about contract talk throughout the year.

The former No. 4 overall pick did speak with reporters on Tuesday during locker clean-out day, saying that he is not yet ready to discuss his future but mentioned how much he’s enjoyed his time in Toronto.

“I’ve always loved my time here, I loved being here. Like I said to you guys the other night, I’ve been so grateful, I haven’t processed anything yet, still so fresh and losing sucks,” said Marner.

“It’s tough to really think about anything going forward and future-wise. I was hoping to be playing hockey again tonight, and that’s not the outcome. I haven’t thought about anything. In the next coming weeks, I’ll sit down with my wife and we’ll start talking and trying to figure out what the next steps are,” he added.

‘It’s Meant Everything’: Mitch Marner Reflects On Maple Leafs Tenure As Uncertainty, Change Loom Following Another Game 7 Loss After another disastrous Game 7 showing from the Toronto Maple Leafs, change feels inevitable.

As reported earlier this week by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston following Game 5, sources suggested that Marner was leaning toward seeking a fresh start elsewhere. No firm decisions have been made, but with free agency approaching, more clarity is expected soon.

The star winger has spent all nine years of his NHL career with the Maple Leafs. In 657 regular-season games, Marner has recorded 221 goals, 520 assists, and 741 points. In the postseason, he has 13 goals, 50 assists, and 63 points in 70 games.

Unlike Marner, John Tavares has been vocal about his desire to remain a Maple Leaf beyond this season. Since training camp, the 34-year-old has reiterated his commitment to the team and spoke again following Game 7 about wanting “another opportunity” with this core group.

‘I’d Love Another Opportunity’: Do The Maple Leafs Dare Entertain The Thought Of Running It Back Again? The scene at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night was eerily familiar.

Tavares won’t command the $11 million AAV he made on his seven-year, $77 million deal signed in 2018. However, he could still be a valuable contributor at a reduced cap hit. This season, he came close to the 40-goal mark, finishing with 38 goals and 36 assists for 74 points, a strong showing that suggests he still has more to give.

As a former captain of the club, Tavares brought leadership and stability down the middle, and his experience would continue to be a valuable asset. The former No. 1 overall pick spoke with reporters on Tuesday, saying that he had positive conversations with general manager Brad Treliving and Berube, claiming he is more “optimistic” about a potential return to the club next season.

In total, during his tenure as a Leaf, Tavares has registered 222 goals, 271 assists, and 493 points in the regular season. He’s also added 17 goals, 14 assists, and 31 points in 51 postseason games with the club.

There are many questions about whether this iteration of the team can truly contend, and with that, plenty of important factors will go into these decisions. It will be complicated this summer for a team still trying to turn regular-season success into playoff success. 

Time will tell in what direction the team takes.

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