The Toronto Maple Leafs will have several key items to address in what figures to be a crucial offseason, and among them is what to do with pending unrestricted free-agent forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
Marner said it's too early to discuss his future with the team.
"Don't have any thoughts right now," he said following Toronto's 6-1 loss in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers on Sunday. "Pretty devastated by what just happened. I've always enjoyed this team and this city."
Tavares, when asked if he would like to be back with the club next year, answered with a "yes."
"It's meant everything to me," Tavares said. "It was a big decision I made seven years ago. I've loved it, and it's been amazing for myself and my family. Just accept responsibility, we haven't been able to come through and play well enough to where we want to get to."
Marner, a native of nearby Thornhill, Ontario, was drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 741 points in 657 career regular-season contests but has been criticized for failing to deliver in big moments. He's 0-7 in winner-take-all playoff games in his career, producing zero goals and two assists.
The 28-year-old would arguably be the top UFA in this year's class if he hits the open market.
Tavares, another local product who grew up in Oakville, Ontario, signed a seven-year, $77-million deal with Toronto in 2018. He's produced 493 points in 515 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs but has also struggled to come up clutch in the playoffs. He's 0-5 in winner-take-all games with Toronto, managing just one goal and zero assists.
Even at age 34, Tavares would likely have a strong market if he hits free agency after tallying 38 goals and 36 assists during the regular season.
