Maple Leafs GM Roasted For Failing To Extend Superstar Forward

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is facing harsh criticism from NHL analyst James Tanner of Editor In Leaf for failing to extend franchise cornerstone forward Mitch Marner’s contract before the start of the season.

Tanner, in a scathing writeup, did not hold back in expressing his concerns about the handling of Marner's situation, calling it "completely incompetent" and "negligent."

"The Mitch Marner situation has gone on long enough, and it’s clear he isn’t being traded," Tanner wrote. "Therefore, he needs to be signed. But not eventually—right now."

Tanner emphasized the urgency of the matter, arguing that letting Marner enter the final season of his contract without an extension would be "one of the worst moves in the history of a franchise that is known for them."

Tanner didn’t stop there, writing "letting him enter the final season of his contract without an extension is completely incompetent," before pointing out that the consequences of losing Marner would be catastrophic for the Maple Leafs.

"The Leafs can’t lose him for nothing, it’s not even an option," Tanner wrote. He went as far as to say that it would be "the worst self-destructive action in team history, at least."

Tanner also highlighted the potential distraction and financial implications of delaying the extension in a top hockey market such as Toronto.

"It should go without saying that having the second-best player in franchise history walking to free agency would be a massive distraction," Tanner wrote. "This is something that needs to be done in the next week or two. What is taking so long?

"Going into the season without signing Marner is negligent. Treliving has been bad, but this would potentially take his performance to a low."

Marner is coming off scoring 85 points in 69 regular-season games in the 2023-24 season. He's a career 639-point scorer, including 194 goals and 445 assists throughout eight NHL seasons, all of them with the Maple Leafs.

Related: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Issues Brief Statement About His Situation