Leafs back under-fire Mitch Marner; Sheldon Keefe bullish on future as head coach

By The Canadian Press on May 6, 2024.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner speaks to the media in Toronto on Monday May 6, 2024, after his team's season ending loss to Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO – Mitch Marner says it “means the world” to be a member of the Maple Leafs.

The Toronto winger has taken heat from fans and media following the club’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins where he put up just three points in the seven-game series.

The 27-year-old grew up just north of the city and cheered for the Leafs as a kid.

Marner has one season left on his big-money deal signed in 2019 and is eligible to ink an extension July 1.

He adds players in Toronto are almost looked upon as “gods” and that it would “be a goal” to stay with the team long-term.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe, meanwhile, was bullish on his own future behind the bench after Toronto suffered a fourth opening-round exit in five seasons under his watch.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2024.