Whether you fall on the side of Mitch Marner or fans of Maple Leafs who think that his “SOB -Story” about the safety of the player and an unmanageable Leafs -Natation Hogwash is officially from image, the Maple Leafs are confronted with an inevitable and well -known Dilemma: who will the role of?
For years, Marner is the target of frustration after every disappointment of the play -off, which ultimately led to his farewell to a very public exit and bitter split.
It is only a matter of time before he is no longer enemy no. 1 in Toronto. He continued, causing his last words to be taken out and the fans respond. Soon they will look for someone else to blame when the season is not perfect. The question now: who is the next?
Auston Matthews – Probably the next lightningaf
If Marner had not been there, Auston Matthews would have repeatedly worn the victim during play -off failures. The focus of the Vitriol in Toronto is so laser -oriented on Marner that fans seem to overlook, no matter how many Matthews struggled in the late season. Just like Marner, the lack of scoring of Matthews in large competitions (four goals in his last 18 play -off games and nine in his last 29 games) is just as much to do with why the Leafs did not go as something else.
Matthews was discussed this summer because his status was one of the top centers in the NHL. He is no longer a good second for Connor McDavid. For many, Matthews is not even in the top five. The control of Matthews’s big contract and his observed inability to lead a deep run will make him a consistent target when things go south.
If he doesn’t have a bounce back season, stay healthy, scores goals when it counts and take this team at the Horns, he becomes a bad leader and too dependent on Marner.
William Nylander – The Star of the People
As a fan on social media wrote after the now notorious Marner interview: “Gotta by William Nylyer. Guy just walks with his dogs, never says no to a photo, takes the metro to work and plays pondverhockey with local children. That is my Superstar wing.” Others have posted photos From Nylyer who takes the metro to a game among the fans, essentially tries to take the story that Marner did not feel safe (as if those two things were even related to remote).
It is excellent that Nylyer does not feel worried, but how long will it take? At the moment he is seen as a man of the people. Will fans see him that way in a few months?
Yes, Nylyer is unique because no one or anything does not seem phased. To be honest, he doesn’t care if you like him or not. Whether you think he could try as hard as he could frustrate you with his inconsistencies – he can be the most dynamic player in the game and then the most lazy – he will do this because he knows how good he is.
That comes with consequences and pressure. With Marner gone, how many fans are ups and downs getting tired?
Morgan Rielly-not abandoning no-trade clause
Marner is publicly criticized, partly, because he refused to abandon his no-trade clause during the 2024-25 season and accept a profession to Carolina. This summer there has been a lot of chat about Morgan Rielly and whether he is the top defender Toronto, she has to bring them to the next level. There have been a whisper about trade opportunities, but Rielly has a no-move clause and no desire to refrain from it.
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Rielly makes a nice cent, and if he is not a top man, the fans will turn it on quickly. Many will concentrate on the fact that Toronto could have been able to go a different direction, but he got in the way that this is happening by calling on a clause in his deal that he has the right to call.
The newcomers and the depth forward
Toronto Maple Leafs fans should not blame the newcomers, but some do. It will not be Nicolas Roy’s fault, nor Matias Maccelli’s, if they can’t produce anywhere at a level near Mitch Marner. Dakota Joshua plays a completely different game and he is not a top-line forward. Nevertheless, the Leafs brought them all in the hope that they would pick up the play by a 100-point player who went to Vegas.
Then there are the Bottom-Six attackers from The Leafs such as Scott Laughton, Nick Robertson, Max Domi, David Kampf, Bobby McMann and Calle Jarnkrok. They will take some heat, although nobody should expect them to score a ton of points or be the playmaker for Matthews. With a limited offensive impact, how long before fans start to walk or suggest these boys from the city that the money they deserve is that Toronto could not get a better replacement star?
The only safe players on the Roster
Maybe John Tavares and Matthew Knies are the only two players who won’t take much heat this season. Tavares closed a team -friendly deal on a new extension and left millions on the table this summer. That means he gets a respite period, and fans will be flexible with him if his production refuses. He is pronounced how much he loves Toronto. Fans hold on to that because they personally take what Marner said about the fan base.
Byies also took a bit of a deal, but he put himself on the Leafs as RFA for several years. He could have done what other RFAs do and went in the short term, ready to cash in as the salary limit rises dramatically. Instead, he closed while Marner gave away. That will give Breies all the support he needs this season, even if it takes him some time to increase his game to a level that the Leafs now clearly needs.
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