The front office has already decided to make Marner a lifetime Leaf, and Marner has stated repeatedly he wants to remain in Toronto.

NHL analyst JD Bunkis believes the star winger is likely to leave in free agency, given everything that has percolated from the Maple Leafs environment during the past few weeks and months. Bunkis appeared on Sportsnet's "Leafs Talk" show on Sunday and said that, in his eyes, the situation is "leaning" toward a Marner exit from Toronto next summer.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a tough outing in their 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche despite solid individual games from some of their star players. Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had two goals,