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1 hour ago
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It may be the most perfect post on social media all year.
The Athletic's Michael Russo decided to fire off the perfect sentence about the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews predicament, and he used Mitch Marner to do it.
This is what Russo posted:
Auston would probably stay in Toronto if they could get a guy like Marner
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 9, 2026MORE: Canadiens push aside top line problem
Of course, Toronto did have Marner, until the talented two-way winger made it clear he didn't want to return to the Leafs and orchestrated a sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.
One reply sums it up nicely: "Sure, but no organization is letting go of a guy like Marner."
Ouch.
It is true that the Leafs could've maybe seen the trouble coming earlier and potentially made something different happen.
Even if they had no way out, it's still a painful reality. The Leafs simply weren't the same team without Marner.
Now coming off a miserable season, and with Matthews having just two years left on his contract, it feels a bit like a reckoning.
Toronto got a break by winning the No. 1 overall pick in the lottery, and they'll likely use it on Canadian phenom Gavin McKenna.
That may not be enough to keep Matthews around if he doesn't believe in the overall direction of the franchise, though.
If only they had a player like Marner.
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