"More interested in jersey sales than winning" "Better be a sign and trade": NHL fans react to latest rumblings around Mitch Marner's future

After the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff exit, not a day has passed without Mitch Marner's trade rumor. Everyone's opinion leans towards Marner getting traded because of the Leafs' core four's failure. Additionally, Auston Matthews and William Nylander have already signed up for the long term.

In the latest episode of Spittin' Chiclets, Paul Bissonnette disclosed that the Leafs are negotiating a new contract extension for Marner.

"I am hearing rumblings they're in the process of negotiating Mitch Marner's new contract," Bissonnette said.

Fan reactions to this news were mixed. A fan said the Leafs should leverage Marner's value to address other roster needs.

"Better be a sign and trade," one fan commented.

"If they give him a $100 million dollar contract at least we'll know once and for all that this organization is more interested in jersey sales than winning," another fan said.

"I'm all for keeping him if the price is right. Him and Matthews have teamed up for some of the best leafs highlights ever. Expectations have to be managed. Marner is not a tough guy. Can't expect him to play that way, but pay has to match the expectation," a fan said.

Here are some more reactions. A fan is expecting a huge contract for Marner.

"It could be an extension and they run it back or a sign and trade. Either way he’s getting a huge payday," a fan wrote.

"Marner is headed to the new 3 on 3 league. Perfect fit for him," another fan said.

"You forgot the second part... "...with the intention of trading him," a fan said.

Mitch Marner has been a crucial part of the Leafs' core. His current $65,408,000 contract, signed in 2019 for six years, has been a point of contention due to its high cap hit.

Mitch Marner's future with Toronto Maple Leafs

The future of Mitch Marner with the Toronto Maple Leafs remains uncertain heading into the summer. According to reports, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving prefers to sign Marner to a contract extension rather than trade him in a major deal.

"Now, if Brad Treliving has a conversation with a club or clubs, and there's a potential trade scenario that develops from those conversations, yeah, he could take that to the Marner camp. And the Marner camp could say, 'Yep, alright, you obviously don't want me, so I'm okay with that. And by the way, there's a big extension that comes with it? Okay, yeah, fine,'" NHL insider Darren Dreger said (via TSN).

Treliving could explore trade options if discussions lead there, but it's not the primary focus yet.