William Nylander says his former teammate Mitch Marner wasn’t planning an exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.
“Not sure where that stuff comes from, but I don’t think he was ever thinking of leaving ahead of time,” Nylander told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger at the NHL/NHLPA European player media tour on Friday.
Nylander said he asked Marner directly about his intentions during the season.
“I actually asked him during the season, and he said he was concentrating on Toronto. I didn’t want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us. Then I asked him after the season, and he wasn’t sure.”
The Golden Knights acquired Marner this offseason through a sign-and-trade with Toronto. Vegas signed the pending unrestricted free agent to an eight-year, $96-million contract.
Marner’s departure came after years of speculation about his future in Toronto.
During his introductory press conference in Vegas, Marner said things started deteriorating when trade rumors began circulating about two years ago. The Maple Leafs tried extending Marner before the 2025 trade deadline while simultaneously exploring trade options.
Toronto reportedly attempted sending the 28-year-old to Carolina in a deal that would’ve brought Mikko Rantanen to the Maple Leafs. Marner used his no-movement clause to block the trade.
A separate three-team deal involving Carolina and Vegas was discussed, with Rantanen heading to Toronto and Marner to Vegas. Carolina and Vegas couldn’t find the necessary assets to complete that trade.
“It’s tough seeing him go, but I’m so happy for him and his family,” Nylander said. “He got to pick where he went, so, in that aspect, I’m happy for him.”
The Maple Leafs will miss Marner’s production on the ice.
Marner finished his Toronto tenure with 741 points in 657 games, fifth-most in franchise history. He managed 13 goals and 50 assists across 70 playoff games with the Maple Leafs.
“We’re going to miss him a lot, but that’s just the business of the sport,” Nylander said. “That’s the way it is. So we’ve got to regroup as a team and figure out a way to keep winning games.”
Toronto added forwards Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, and Nicolas Roy this offseason to help replace Marner’s production.
Nylander signed an eight-year, $92-million extension in January 2024, making him the longest-tenured player currently under contract with the Maple Leafs.
