Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 32 Ideas: The Podcast – The Cup Ultimate is Set episode speaking concerning the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner and their future.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Marek: “And we’ll end up the information phase with this identify and this received’t get a lot consideration. Mitch Marner. Just lately photographed in a …”
Friedman: “Espresso store.”
Marek: “Espresso store within the west finish of Toronto with head coach Craig Berube. What’s your spidey sense saying on Mitch Marner and Toronto, Elliotte?”
Friedman: “So everyone is de facto making an attempt to not pour gasoline on the hearth right here, Jeff, so let’s do it.”
Marek: “No, right here we go. Cracking it open. Who’s acquired the matches?”
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Friedman: “All people’s making an attempt to be actually cautious right here. However one of many issues that just a few folks have instructed me is, to not be stunned if this performs out over subsequent season with Marner in Toronto.
Now, there’s numerous time between right here after which and issues can at all times change however that is such a fragile dialog between participant and group as a result of everybody is decided to appear like a winner right here.
The Leafs are decided to both make a superb commerce or with the cap room that’s created by that commerce, do one thing massive that they know they’ll’t afford to have a swing and a large number with this one. And likewise the participant is decided, and extra importantly, the folks across the participant are decided to do that, that make themselves look good, that they’re not going to comply with something that they assume places them in a foul gentle. So this can be a actually difficult factor moving into.
I need to throw a pair different factors on the market to you. Primary, I believe that there’s some actual concern about how the Toronto followers will react to Marner if he begins subsequent yr, unsigned. And you may’t keep away from that, and you realize, some folks and me, I’m the type of one that’s like, look if you wish to guess on your self, guess on your self. I’ve been on myself earlier than. Different folks have guess on themselves earlier than. If that’s what Marner desires to do, I believe he has all the appropriate on this planet to do it.
However he has to grasp that among the fan base isn’t going to react very effectively to that and it’s a must to play by way of which are you snug with that? Are you able to deal with that? And I do consider that’s one of many issues that’s been mentioned.
And I believe with the Maple Leafs, the opposite problem that they’re coping with right here and I believe there are folks within the group who really feel very strongly about this, is that they traded Nazem Kadri a few years in the past once they had been mad at him. And look, Kadri acquired suspended twice in a row. There, there are individuals who felt very strongly on the time that they needed to make that commerce. However Nazem Kadri went elsewhere, sorted himself out, was a essential member of a Stanley Cup champion, and is a participant that Toronto very a lot missed after he left. And I believe there are folks within the group who’re this and consider may this be Kadri 2.
The place Marner goes elsewhere, the highlight is much less intense. He learns the best way to stability every thing and goes out and turns into a key participant on a Stanley Cup champion in one other metropolis. Which I do consider may occur. To me that may be a very reputable factor. That Marner may go elsewhere quieter and actually thrive.
I believe he’s an amazing participant. And I believe he may turn out to be a good higher participant with out the highlight. And I do assume there are folks within the group who’re very afraid of the opportunity of that taking place. And I believe that’s a part of the background to all this.
So appear like, if the contract calls for on each side are loopy. It’s going to result in an eventual divorce anyway. However I, I’ve to let you know, I, I don’t assume there’s a sure approach, I do know there’s individuals are like 100% he’s getting traded. On Sunday, June the 2nd, I don’t know that I’m so sure of that.
And I believe one of many greatest challenges listed here are going to be the, form of like the emotions of everyone concerned. I simply assume that that is going to take numerous diplomacy for lots of people to do correctly.”
Marek: “It is a, you’re proper, this can be a delicate one. You at all times run the chance on this state of affairs of going into subsequent season, clearly and not using a contract after which right here come the howls of, I’ll simply be blunt Elliotte, Muskoka 5 the sequel.
And the way do you deal with skating by way of that? Such as you bear in mind when that occurred, and people had been some you realize, veteran gamers with some fairly stiff spines. You recognize, Mats Sundin, Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker.
I believe if you happen to’re each you’re the participant and the group, I don’t assume you need the participant to undergo that and I don’t assume you need the group to undergo that. That’s why this one has the potential to be a firecracker. And that’s why I agree with you after I say this one is a very difficult one.”
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Friedman: “Yeah.”
Marek: “… to kind out.”
Friedman: “Yeah. As a result of anytime there’s a report that paints one facet in a foul gentle or says this one individual has to do that.”
Marek: “Sure.”
Friedman: “I believe folks get their backs up.”
Marek: “I agree. All proper. That may be a story that won’t go away.”
