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Hometown Hero, Hometown Villain From Jay |
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Hometown Hero, Hometown Villain
Mitch Marner is still a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, at least on paper. With his contract expiring June 30th, he is set to headline this year's class of free agents. While an alternate universe likely exists when fans see Marner return and the Leafs ‘run it back’ one last time, that possibility feels impossible in our reality, especially after this weekend.
The weekend began with Andy Strickland reporting that Marner's time with the Leafs was officially finished. This was followed by news from Elliotte Friedman that Marner and his agent were refusing to even answer the Leafs’ calls. Friedman expanded on that today, sharing that Marner is set on his July 1st moment but might still allow the Leafs a meeting after speaking to other teams.
It's a stunning downfall: the hometown hero is now cast as the villain. While Marner is absolutely entitled to test the free market, for him to actively alienate the fanbase that once worshipped him is appalling. To go from being treated like a 'god,' by his own admission, to refusing even the courtesy of a goodbye call speaks volumes.
Marner's actions this week are all the justification the Maple Leafs should need to finally close this book. The relationship is clearly broken beyond repair, and it is well past time for this organization to restore a timeless hockey era. Reigniting a time when the logo on the front means more than the name on the back.
For an entire generation of Leafs fans, the 'Core Four' is all they've ever known. But older fans remember a different standard, dreaming of the days of Wendel Clark, Darcy Tucker, and Gary Roberts. They long for an era of grit and heart, where you never had to question if the fans in the stands cared more than the players on the ice.
All this fanbase has ever demanded is honest effort and accountability.
John Tavares' signing was a landmark day, proving it was safe for a superstar to come home. Hopefully July 1st will be a landmark for a different reason, with Mitch Marner making it finally acceptable for one to leave.
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