Maple Leafs' core players express desire to run it back next season

The 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs accomplished something they hadn’t done in 20 years: advance past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But after the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the postseason on Friday by the Florida Panthers in five games, Toronto quickly shifted from basking in the glory of a first-round playoff series win to wondering what the future holds. 

And while the Maple Leafs have some soul searching to do this offseason, both in terms of the makeup of their front office and roster, the team’s group of core players — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander — expressed to reporters on Monday during the team’s locker cleanout that they were all unwavering in their desire to be back with Toronto next season.

“The sense is it’s kind of up in the air,” Matthews said regarding who will stay and who will return in 2023. “I think my belief in our core players and the guys that have been here has never wavered, and I still believe in that. … My intention is to be here. I think I’ve reciprocated that before, how much I enjoy playing here and what it means to me and the organization, my teammates and how much I just enjoy being here.”

Matthews has one more season left on his five-year, $59.19M contract. He’s eligible to sign an extension on July 1. On that same day, Marner’s no-movement clause begins. 

Both players have been mentioned in trade reports as the Leafs have made it past the first round just once in the seven seasons both have been on the roster.