Marner has stayed in touch with teammates Matthews and Nylander as contract talks continue.
Marner has stayed in touch with teammates Matthews and Nylander as contract talks continue.
Mitch Marner knows Auston Matthews and William Nylander have a lot on their plate.
As he watches from a distance while both players go through contract extension talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner has avoided the topic when talking to his star teammates and has stuck to more pressing topics.
"It’s more about other things like trying to get them down here for a wedding," Marner said. "That’s been more of it than talking (contract). They’ve got a lot of people trying to talk to them about that stuff."
Marner, speaking at the annual Marner Assist Foundation, has a full plate of his own. In addition to seeing his foundation grow in its fifth year, he is set to tie the knot with fiancée Stephanie LaChance later this summer.
Negotiations talks with Matthews and Nylander have been mixed. While there is a belief that the Leafs and Matthews will eventually sign a new deal, it's not as clear on the Nylander front.
However it shakes out, Marner knows both players enjoy being in Toronto and are committed to the team.
If he can help, he will.
"I know both of them have a lot of joy and love for this team and want to be here," Marner said of his teammates, "We’ll see. If need be, I’m going to try and get involved and help on both sides. But at the same time, they’re my buddies before they are teammates and I’m going to look at them as that."
Maple Leafs captain John Tavares also attended the Marner Assist Foundation gala on Thursday and isn't surprised that it's taking a little bit of time to figure things out with both players.
Tavares cited his previous two negotiation processes. His first one involved an extension with the New York Islanders coming out of his entry-level deal and the latter one led to him becoming a Leaf on July 1, 2018
"Two different scenarios, it’s not always the smoothest process," Tavares explained. "But at the same time you know the guys want to be here and want to continue on with the group that we have. So hopefully everything works out, support them and have their back."
Marner has not ironed out a meeting in person with Brad Trelving just yet but that's coming soon. Marner likes the additions Toronto's new GM has made to add "snot, piss and vinegar" to the club, while also showing his support for returning players.
"Brad came in and defended us all really and our team. It meant a lot to us to come in and do that," Marner said. "It’s not just four guys on our team. It’s a full-team effort for every single night. It’s not the narrative a lot of times but we all know we got to be better and that;’s why we’re all excited to get the season going."
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