The Maple Leafs face immense pressure from the fans and the media, and in a recent interview, Marner thanked them for what they've done for him in his career. It's no secret that the last few months haven't been easy for Mitch Marner in Toronto, as the veteran forward underperformed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs loss to the Boston Bruins, leading to months of trade demands and speculation from fans and the media. However, pre-season is now upon us and No. 16 remains in Toronto, with the team looking to push for a Stanley Cup once more, with the pressure continuing to mount. Now, with the regular season approaching, Marner took part in an interview with <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/mitch-marner-sends-a-message-to-the-maple-leafs-nation/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Sportsnet</a>'s Elliotte Friedman, and although he wouldn't mention his contract situation, he did make one surprise statement. To end the interview, Marner was asked to give a comment on Maple Leafs fans, and he did so in an emotional, heartfelt way, thanking them for their support over the years. <q>Thank you. At some point in time, people probably looked at taking me with that pick was a little bit of a reach just with size and everything like that and not really knowing anyone's future. Looking back at it, it's so funny, my wife and I are always talking... it's crazy we're going into our ninth year in Toronto and every year brings a new challenge and a new blessing and we're fortunate for it all. Just the love you get outside of the rink in the hockey community is one of a kind and I get to see it first hand every time at my charity event throughout the summers and even just walking around the community. I'm very greatful and very fortunate to be a Maple Leaf.</q> That doesn't seem like a message that a player on the way out of Toronto at the end of the season would give, but if the team struggle in the postseason once again, he may not have the opportunity to return asa free agent. Unfortunately, not all fans believe that the message was genuine, as there was plenty of pushback on social media for Marner's latest interview, with many fans remaining disappointing with his last playoff performance, hoping the team won't bring him back. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PeteFredericksX/status/1838005139652722821'> </a></blockquote></div> At the end of the day, it only takes one season for all of this negativity to turn around, and for Marner, the chance is there alongside Auston Matthews to make it happen, so if he wants to show true love to this team, look for a big playoff performance in 2024/25 in what could be his last run with the team. Source: Maple Leafs Daily <a href='https://www.mapleleafsdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/mitch-marner-issues-surprising-statement-addressing-the-leafs-loyal-fan-base' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Mitch Marner Issues Surprising Statement, Addressing the Leafs' Loyal Fan Base</a>