Mitch Marner's First Words After Maple Leafs' Game 7 Elimination

“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.”

He later added, “Never taken a day for granted and always loved it.”

When asked if he had already decided on what's next for him, whether that's returning or leaving the only franchise he's ever played for, Marner said he hadn’t yet considered it.

“I don’t have any thoughts right now,” Marner said. “Pretty devastated with what just happened. I’ve always enjoyed this team and this city.”

In Game 7, Marner recorded no points and just two shots in over 18 minutes of ice time.

After the loss, he echoed Auston Matthews’ sharp criticism of the team’s performance, who called out "many passengers" not helping Toronto on Sunday.

“That's the right wording, I would say, as well,” Marner said. “Can’t have passengers in a Game 7. So it just sucks. 

”We all gotta hold ourselves to a higher accountability.”

Toronto has now lost seven straight Game 7s since 2004. The Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup in 1967, but have not advanced past the second round since 2002.