According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the ongoing situation with Mitch Marner is making players hesitant about signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Marner faced heavy criticism after the Leafs’ first-round exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, where he was accused of not putting in the effort needed to advance. With his substantial $10.9 million salary, this has become a significant issue for the team.

Friedman mentioned that some players have told him they are reluctant to join the Maple Leafs due to the handling of Marner’s situation and the media frenzy.

It’s funny because one player told me that there are some players who have watched from outside what’s gone on with this whole Marner thing over the last month or two and they’re like ‘I want no part of that, like I don’t want anything to do with that.’

It takes a special person [to play in Toronto]. But I think there were some players like ‘Nope, that’s not going to be me.'”

Toronto, is known to be one of the toughest markets for hockey, if not all sports. Players can quickly fall from grace with just one misstep.

While he has expressed a desire to stay with the Leafs, it’s ultimately up to GM Brad Treliving to decide. He must figure out if Toronto can improve while retaining their core players.