The Toronto Maple Leafs entered an offseason shrouded in uncertainty when they were eliminated in the second round by the Florida Panthers in May.
With fans clamouring for change at all levels, 10 regulars entering unrestricted free agency and an Auston Matthews extension negotiation hanging in the balance, star right winger Mitchell Marner was unwavering in his support of the core.
After an off-season of tweaks, including a change at the executive level with former Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving taking over for Kyle Dubas, Marner re-emphasized that belief on Tuesday ahead of the Leafs’ 2023-24 NHL season opener in an interview on “The Jeff Marek Show.”
“We obviously have some big dreams,” the 26-year-old winger said about the team’s ambitions. “We need everyone on that roster. That’s our goal.”
It is a roster that has remained defined by its Core Four forwards: Matthews, captain John Tavares, William Nylander and Marner, who finished last season with 30 goals and 69 assists. Though the additions made in the off-season were far from insignificant.
“They’re not afraid to speak out and say what’s on their mind and, even though they’re new to the team, they felt really at home since Day 1,” Marner said about Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi and Ryan Reaves, the team’s three standout forward signings.
“We’re very excited for all three of those guys. They’ve done a lot for us throughout training camp and pre-season.”
Though a new face for the team, Domi, the son of long-time Leafs fan favourite Tie Domi, will bring instant chemistry with Marner, a former linemate with the London Knights.
“Max is just a great human being. Anyone that’s ever came across Max knows that he’s one of a kind – just such a genuine, awesome human being,” Marner said about his former OHL teammate.
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“We’re very fortunate to have that back in our team … it’s been a lot of fun to really reconnect with him.”
The Leafs also had some drafted talent make jumps in the off-season, with Matthew Knies ready to have a full-time impact and Fraser Minten, 19-year-old second-round pick from 2022, turning heads in pre-season and cracking the opening-night roster.
“How smart he is on the ice with this stick position, his overall body position to read plays, pickoff pucks,” the seven-year pro Marner said of the dynamic teenager. “You can tell that he’s done his work last two years and has really grown into that role.”
With the additions and in-house progression, Marner and the Leafs will aim to improve on a bitter ending to last season, starting against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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