Marner's contract, Cup expectations among topics ahead of Leafs camp

Several members of the Toronto Maple Leafs took to the podium on Wednesday to address the media before the official opening of training camp.

From Stanley Cup aspirations to potential position switches, here are the most interesting points made by players and staff alike with the start of the 2024-25 season on the horizon.

Mitch Marner mum on contract talks 🤫

Marner doesn't seem eager to talk about his contract status ahead of the new campaign.

"I'm very happy to be a Maple Leaf," he said before fielding questions from reporters, per TSN. "It's an unbelievable privilege, but I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to talk about the season."

Marner is signed for one more season to the tune of a $10.903-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He's been eligible to re-up with Toronto since July 1, and his existing deal includes a full no-move clause.

Despite keeping his cards close to his chest, the 27-year-old again reiterated his love for his hometown franchise.

"Growing up in this area, I've always been a Leafs fan," he said. "I've always wanted this team to succeed and win just to see what that would feel like. ... It's my home."

It's been a trying offseason for the star winger, as he's faced criticism from fans and the media after another underwhelming postseason. Marner shared his appreciation for the support he received from his fellow NHLers, including defenseman Zach Bogosian and superstar center Nathan MacKinnon.

"Those are two special guys. ... It was nice, I got those messages from other people," he said. "I'm really trying to stay off of all the social media markets, just stay clear and realize there's a lot better things going on. ... It was cool to hear those messages, hear their thoughts and their love for me."

Morgan Rielly targeting Stanley Cup 🏆

Rielly is about to enter his 12th NHL season. Toronto has won just one playoff round since the beginning of his tenure, but the longtime Leaf believes that the franchise should have championship aspirations.

"I think, to a degree, your goal is always to win a Stanley Cup and anything else is a failure," he said. "I think that's how our group feels, but right now you gotta stay a bit more focused on the short term. ... As we go, our goal will always be to win a Stanley Cup and anything short of that will be a failure."

Rielly also addressed his team's acquisition of veteran rearguard Chris Tanev, who is penciled in on the top pair next to Rielly.

"I think he's just a great piece," he said. "I think any team in the league that adds Chris Tanev to your D-corps immediately becomes much stronger. I had a chance to play with him during the (2016) men's World Championships, so I know him. He's a great guy, great teammate. I was just very excited."

Rielly added: "(He) automatically overnight made our team better."

The Maple Leafs acquired the 34-year-old Tanev's free-agent rights from the Dallas Stars prior to July 1 and subsequently signed him to a six-year deal with an average annual value of $4.5-million.

William Nylander getting another go at center 🧪

Head coach Craig Berube said Nylander is going to kick off training camp as a center with the newly extended Max Domi on his wing.

"Well, I think that with (Nylander's) skill set, he can be a great transporter of the puck from our own zone to the offensive zone," Berube said. "He's strong, he's big, he's skilled. Any time you can get somebody like that in the middle of the ice, I believe that's a real important piece."

Though he was drafted as a center back in 2014, Nylander has spent the vast majority of his NHL career as a winger. He also started last year's camp in the middle of the ice, but the experiment lasted only two preseason games.

The 28-year-old Swede is coming off a career campaign that saw him log 40 goals and 98 points in 82 outings. Nylander is about to play out the first season of the eight-year, $92-million extension he signed in January.

The Maple Leafs hired Berube to succeed Sheldon Keefe as bench boss in May.

Opportunity is there for young players 🚪

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving had some simple advice for young players aiming to make the team.

"Go play well. ... If you can help us win, I don't care if you're 18 or 38. Play well," he said.

The executive added: "There is competition. And there are people, in my mind, (Easton Cowan) is pushing. Now, having said that, we all want to put them on the team in July and August. Preseason's one thing, regular season's a different thing, later in the season in the NHL is a different thing. ... We will make room for young players if young players can help us win."

Toronto selected Cowan with the 28th overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft. He impressed the Maple Leafs during last year's training camp and appeared in a handful of preseason games. The 19-year-old forward then enjoyed an excellent season with the London Knights, tallying 34 goals and 96 points in 54 games before being named the OHL's most outstanding player.

Injury roundup 🤕

• Forward Connor Dewar won't start training camp with the Leafs after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
• Forward prospect Fraser Minten recently suffered a high-ankle sprain and may be weeks away from returning.
• Defense prospect Ben Danford is dealing with a concussion.