Winger Mitch Marner found himself at the center of tension and speculation during his final years with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As summer approached, rumors about a potential exit loomed large, especially considering the end of his contentious six-year, $65.41 million contract. However, teammate William Nylander revealed that Marner remained laser-focused on the team right up until the end.

Nylander shared in an interview with NHL.com, "I asked him during the season about his future, and he assured me he was concentrating on Toronto. I didn’t want to pressure him, knowing it was on his mind, but his performance reflected his commitment to helping us. After the season, though, he seemed uncertain."

It’s no shocker why Marner felt devoted to the Maple Leafs; he grew up in a hockey-loving family in Markham, Ontario, honing his skills with the Vaughan Kings and Don Mills Flyers. His journey continued when he joined the OHL's London Knights and was eventually drafted by Toronto in 2015. Over his nine-year career with the Leafs, he contributed an impressive 741 points across 657 games.

But Marner's time in Toronto wasn’t without its hurdles. His dedication often came under scrutiny, from criticisms of his effort to controversies with coaches and teammates. A notable incident occurred during the intense 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when Marner and Nylander exchanged heated words on the bench. While fans viewed it as a troubling sign of friction, Nylander insisted it was all part of the game, affirming the difficulties of seeing Marner leave after nearly a decade.

Nylander emphasized that Toronto will feel Marner's absence both on and off the ice, pointing out the significant void left after Marner notched a career-high 102 points last season. His stellar performance followed three consecutive seasons flirting with the century mark, peaking with 99 points in the 2022-2023 season. Now, Marner is set to shine alongside stars like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone with the Vegas Golden Knights.

In the midst of these transitions, Nylander has not declared that he will fill Marner's top-line position next season, maintaining his focus on contributing wherever needed. Coming off a phenomenal season himself, with a personal best of 45 goals and 84 points, he's ready to step up. Yet, as he aims for consistency, Toronto will need to strategize to cover for both Marner's and Nylander's impactful absences.