When it comes to storylines surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs, none was more controversial than Mitch Marner’s performance in the 2019-20 season.
Coming off a long and emotional contract dispute that saw him land a six-year $10.893 million contract, Marner didn’t set the league on fire the way many anticipated he would. While his stat line shows he played well (heck, he made the All-Star game), the lofty expectations placed on him made his season outlook appear to some as a “disappointment.”
Add to the fact that he was given the ‘A’ and his reputation tarnished by some fans based on the actions of the contract negotiations, and it’s easy to see why there’s a lot of pressure on Marner to take the next steps in his ascension among the NHL’s elite.