Maple Leafs Urged to Move On From Mitch Marner: 'Nine Years Is An Eternity'

Speaking on TSN after the Leafs' Game 7 loss, Bryan Hayes said the time has come for the organization to make a change.

"Nine years in pro sports is an eternity," Hayes said. "It’s time for Mitch Marner to move on, and I think that’s in the best interest of the team."

Hayes acknowledged Marner’s offensive brilliance in the regular season but stressed that playoff failures have defined his tenure.

"In the biggest games, it just hasn’t been there for him," Hayes said. "The team tried to commit to Marner. He chose not to do that. Now they need to shake his hand and let him go."

Marner told reporters after the loss that he was "pretty devastated," while declining to discuss his future. He said being drafted by the Leafs "meant everything" to him, and he remains "forever grateful" to wear the jersey.

“It’s meant everything,” Marner said. “They took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto.

”I’ve been forever grateful to be able to wear this Maple Leaf and be a part of some of the great legends here. Never taken a day for granted and always loved it.”

Still, Hayes argued Toronto cannot afford to lock in another major contract near the expected $13 million per season Marner would command, according to The Fourth Period.