Elliotte Friedman: Maple Leafs' Series vs. Panthers Could Have Changed Marner's Fate

NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman recently said he believes that Mitch Marner would still be with the Maple Leafs had they beaten the divisional foe Florida Panthers in the ECSF.

The Mitch Marner era with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially ended this summer when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a massive sign and trade transaction.

The trade netted the Maple Leafs Nick Roy in return; Marner was signed to an 8 year contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $12 million, a $1.1 million raise from what he was making in his recent contract in Toronto.

Why a Second-Round Win Could Secure Mitch Marner's Spot in Toronto

Marner and the Maple Leafs were knocked from the playoffs by the divisional foe Florida Panthers in the ECSF for the 2nd time in 3 years; Marner took considerable criticism for having only an assist in the final 4 games of the series.

He also took heat for a careless pass in Game 5 that directly resulted in a Panthers goal.

Per analyst Elliotte Friedman on his latest '32 Thoughts' podcast had the Leafs beaten the Panthers, Marner would still be in Toronto.

There are other players who feel that when Marner didn't sign last summer that the writing was on the wall. My position is this: If they beat Florida in the 2nd round, which they should have done, I don't see how Mitch Marner isn't in Toronto.

Friedman Weighs in on Maple Leafs' Core and Offseason Decisions

The Maple Leafs re-signed former captain John Tavares and RFA forward Matthew Knies, and received Nick Roy from the Golden Knights for Marner.

But Friedman adamantly believes that Marner would still be with the Maple Leafs had they beaten the Panthers.

I could be totally wrong. It's happened maybe once in my 55 years of existence that I could be totally wrong. But you tell me if I'm nuts, Kyle. I just don't see a way if they beat Florida that Mitch Marner doesn't find a way to re-sign in Toronto, and the Maple Leafs don't find a way to re-sign Marner.

Marner had a career-best 102 points (27G, 75A) in his last year in Toronto.