TORONTO – While taken aback by the sudden change up top, Mitch Marner and John Tavares are both encouraged that, so far, the core of the Toronto Maple Leafs is on track to remain intact for the 2023-24 season.
As of July 1, Marner, Tavares and Auston Matthews all have full no-move protection, and new general manager Brad Treliving is grinding away at contract extensions for both Matthews and William Nylander, hoping to check two giant boxes before training camp opens in a couple months.
The Core Four wants to keep the band together, and that would be Treliving’s preference as well.
“Something that we’ve talked about a lot is just how Brad came in and defended us all, really, and our team,” Marner said Thursday evening at fifth annual Mitch Marner All-Star Invitational fundraising gala that supports various charities.
“It meant a lot to all of us to come in and do that. It’s not just four guys on our team. It’s a full team effort every single night. That’s really what we really know. I mean, that’s not the narrative a lot of times, but we know we all gotta be better. And that’s why we’re excited to get the season going.”
Marner and captain John Tavares have both been keeping in touch, as usual, with Matthews and Nylander, who are set to enter the final years of their contracts and are both due significant raises that will shape Treliving’s cap flexibility next summer.
But neither is pestering their star teammates to pick up a pen and sign already.
“We all have a good grasp of why it’s special to play here. And we all want to be here and want to win here,” said Tavares, who turned up at the Toronto Event Centre to support Marner, alongside fellow NHLers such as Jack Campbell and Anthony Cirelli.
“There’s the business side of it, too. And sometimes that process has to play out a little bit and takes time. It’s not always just things get done simple, quick, one day type of negotiation. It’s a process. And I even learned that, whether it was my extension in Long Island or when I went through free agency.
“It’s not always the smoothest process. But at the same time, the guys want to be here and love it here and want to continue on with the group that we have. So, just hope everything works out. We support them and have their back, and we love having them here. Great teammates, great people.”
Marner’s conversations with Matthews have largely been focused on getting his centreman back to Toronto for his wedding to fiancée Stephanie LaChance later this summer. He’s not stressed about the Matthews and Nylander negotiations — yet.
“I know both of them have a lot of joy and love for this team and want to be here, so we’ll see,” Marner said.
“If need be, I’m gonna get involved and we’ll try to help out both sides. But at the same time, they’re my buddies before you know teammates, and I’m going to look at them as that.”
The post-playoffs turnover at the general manager’s post sunk in for Marner when he bumped into Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza in Nashville, where they were representing the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“It was a little weird when I saw him at the awards, him and Spezz sitting there. I walked over and said hi to them both. It’s definitely unique. They were both all smiling, excited, and you can see why. They got a great team as well that’s going to be competing.”
Tavares calls Dubas’s firing “surprising” but endorses Treliving’s personable approach and quick work putting his stamp on the roster via the free agency addition of Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Reaves, and John Klingberg.
“You guys know the impact Kyle has made on me, and obviously the role he played when I was a free agent [in 2018]in convincing me why this opportunity was the right one for me, and the relationship that was built — not just as a hockey player and as a captain, but myself as a person and as a father,” Tavares said.
“He’s been a mentor in a lot of ways… So, not easy, especially when you’ve been through a lot as a group and him being the leader of the group. But the same time, you understand there’s a business to the game and things happen and changes are inevitable at times.
“Tre came in just very level-headed. I think a tremendous approach and communicated very well to everyone that’s here that he just wants to continue to help push us forward and believes that the group is really strong.”
To that end, Treliving’s complementary forwards to the core producers all come equipped with a volume and an edginess the GM felt was necessary.
“All three of those guys can play with snot, piss and vinegar. So, I think he’s done a good job of what he said that he wants to bring in — and he’s done it,” Marner said.
“Three guys that aren’t afraid to get in people’s faces and down and dirty, and at the same time bring a lot of pace to our game, can do a lot of things around the net, add a lot of different qualities to your team. And they all have that grittiness. Obviously, what Ryan does, it’s gonna make people not really want to get down and dirty too much with our team.”
Reaves also mentioned, in his first Zoom call with Toronto reporters, that he’ll make it a mission to contribute off the ice as well. Plan parties. Be the glue. Fuel the camaraderie.
The outgoing Marner, an alternate captain, feels that’s a role he’s been working at for a while.
“You can ask probably half the team. I mean, we have a party at our house once a month probably, or try to get together with everyone and with the wives and stuff,” Marner said.
The more, the merrier.
“But it is great to hear that,” Marner continued. “I mean, you need your team to be close and want everyone to love each other. I think that’s why our team is really personal with each other — we do do a lot of events with each other and a lot of with our significant others as well. And we want our team to feel like a family. We’ve done a good job of it, and just to add a guy that says that means a lot to our team as well.”
