Marner open to in-season negotiation: 'Goal' is to remain a Leaf

There's no place like home for Mitch Marner.

Following a summer full of trade speculation that ultimately amounted to nothing, the Thornhill, Ontario, native is adamant that he wants to stick with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the long haul.

Marner is entering the final year of his contract with a $10.903-million cap hit, the NHL's 12th-highest this season. The deal also contains a full no-movement clause.

The 27-year-old opened his media availability on Wednesday by saying he wouldn't discuss his contract situation. However, in an interview with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman released Thursday, he said he's open to negotiating a new deal during the 2024-25 campaign.

"I think for my sake, unless it gets really important or (I'm) really needed, I'm going to let my agent Darren Ferris and (Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving) do all the talking and figure stuff out," Marner said. "I'm just going to focus on playing hockey and trying to help this team win games."

It's unknown if Treliving would be willing to sign Marner to an extension during the season. Toronto's core as currently assembled has failed to make a deep playoff run, winning only one series in eight years.

Marner has become a lightning rod for criticism from the Toronto fan base amid the team's playoff failures. He's recorded 50 points in 57 career playoff tilts, but he's managed only two goals and 11 assists in 20 appearances in elimination games.

Despite the harsh critics in his hometown, Marner said he doesn't want to play for any other team.

"That's the whole goal (to stay with the Maple Leafs)," Marner said. "Like I spoke on, I'm passionate about this team, I'm passionate about this fan base."