Mitch Marner speaks out on impending contract talks with Toronto Maple Leafs

One of the more intriguing storylines related to the Toronto Maple Leafs is the future of forward Mitch Marner. He is known as one of the "Core 4" players, which includes captain Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares.

Marner is a pending free agent at the end of the season, and up till now, there's been no progress on a new deal to keep him a member of the only NHL club he's played for.

So, as he continues to set a pace for a new career-best in points, how much is his contract status on his mind? Apparently, not much.

"I honestly really just haven't thought of it," Marner said to TSN's James Duthie. "I'm a hockey player when I come to the rink, but other than that, I’m a human being, and I’ve got great family and friends around me to keep my mind distracted, keep it loose and fun around me.

"I just try to keep my mind off hockey when I’m at home. As soon as I come to the rink, you know, that’s when you dial it in and then, you know, realize the job you gotta do at hand and the work ethic and everything that comes with it," Marner added.

"I don’t know. I’m just trying not to think about it — just trying to come do my job here and, like I said, just help this team win hockey games.”

Marner and the Leafs are in action against the Pittsburgh penguins at PPG Paints Arena; puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.

Mitch Marner isn't the only top Maple Leafs player up for a new contract

Marner isn't the only one up for a new contract when the season ends. Former Leafs captain John Tavares can also become a free agent when the calendar turns to July 1.

He stepped down from the role of captain during the offseason, ceding the role he'd held since 2019 to new captain Auston Matthews, the first American-born captain in Leafs' history.

Tavares has spoken glowingly about playing for the Leafs, with whom he signed a seven-year contract, given to him by former general manager Kyle Dubas in 2018. The Leafs were his favorite childhood club.

An infamous picture of him as a boy sleeping on a bed adorned with Maple Leafs-themed sheets made the rounds on social media after the deal was announced.

It will be a monumental decision by Leafs GM Brad Treliving on how to handle the futures of Marner and Tavares.