Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might have taken away Mitch Marner’s lead in Toronto contract headlines for a couple of days, but the Maple Leaf winger is sure to retain it now that he’s home.
Marner’s usual enthusiastic shouts were heard at the Ford Centre on Wednesday in the team’s first practice there in a couple of weeks, though he wasn’t around when the dressing room opened and media who asked for him were told by team officials he wasn’t being made available. News that the Carolina Hurricanes wanted him in a trade deadline deal for fellow right winger Mikko Rantanen, that Toronto management informed him of such, that Marner invoked his no-move clause and GM Brad Treliving’s message of support for him a couple of days later all came down during the club’s most recent road trip.
Tuesday was a day off and Marner laid low after his shootout winner Monday night in Salt Lake City. The plan with the Marner camp was not to get into hard negotiations on his next contract until after this season, when Marner no doubt hopes his playoff stock will rise in addition to his current place atop team scoring with 80 points. But not wanting to miss out on Rantanen and lose UFA Marner in July, Treliving was obligated to run the trade past him.
Coach Craig Berube, whose pre-season meeting with Marner helped set a positive vibe, has come to admire his resolve, which included he and Auston Matthews taking lead roles for their respective countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off between long Leaf trips.
“In his situation, he’s just focused on hockey and been focused on it all year. He’s been a really good leader, teammate — and he’s produced. The situation is what it is and I’m glad he’s here playing for us. I pay attention to the player, the body language. Mitch has good energy, in games and practice. He seems happy.”
The Leafs will need an ‘A’ game from Marner and everyone on Thursday, the first of three against the Florida Panthers in the closing weeks with first place in the Atlantic Division at stake.
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ACCOMMODATION NATION
New Leafs Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo had to sort out temporary living arrangements in Toronto this week after joining the club on the road.
Though he has a summer residence in his native Oakville, long-time Philadelphia Flyer Laughton has a tenant renting it now and had to take a hotel room.
“I’m going to have to give the guy the boot at some point,” Laughton joked, as his wife and young son will be arriving soon. “But I haven’t really talked to him, I’m just catching my breath, settling in here.”
Ex-Bruin Carlo used Tuesday’s off day to fly back to Boston from Utah to prepare his own young family for the move, then went on to Toronto for Wednesday’s practice before even checking in to a hotel. His mother flew from her Colorado home to Boston on Saturday to help Carlo’s wife get part of the family packed and she’ll stay with his son until he gets a passport to travel.
PICTURE THIS
Simon Benoit wasn’t prepared to be an internet sensation, though images of his leaping attempt to get the first punch in on Utah’s 6-foot-5 Michael Kesselring was sure to be a memorable sports photo. It caught the attention of Quebec-born Georges St.-Pierre, the retired mixed martial arts star who remarked on ‘X’ that Benoit’s “Superman Punch … missed the target (Kesselring), because he telegraphed it too much … but the picture is awesome.”
“He’s a legend and to get a lesson from him would be cool,” the Leaf defenceman said of St.-Pierre, though doesn’t consider himself deserving the Superman nickname. “I wouldn’t say (jumping) is the right move to start with. You put yourself in a weird spot. I didn’t really connect, lost my grip and he was able to get inside on me. I just thought I’d try it, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The picture is cool. I’ll probably frame it. But I’m more focused on (Thursday), a big game for first place. We’ll know they’ll come hard and play heavy in the corners.”
KID STUFF
Benoit was among the many Leafs who had to re-introduce themselves to their families this week after playing 11 of the past 13 on the road. Benoit said his infant daughter needed some adjustment.
“She wasn’t sure at first, but she was all giggles after realizing it was me.”
During the last trip, centre John Tavares lost a popular houseguest for his three young kids when 2022 draft pick centre Fraser Minten was traded to Boston.
“I haven’t told them yet,” Tavares admitted, knowing they won’t be happy. “We’ll get there. They got to know Fraser pretty well and having him stay with us was a blast. He’s an amazing person first and foremost with amazing maturity.”
Minten was to play for the Providence Bruins Wednesday night in Toronto against the Marlies.
X: @sunhornby