Marner sees long-term future with Leafs: It's 'going to get done eventually'

Despite recent comments from Mitch Marner's agent suggesting contract talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs hadn't gone smoothly this past summer, the star forward insists his feelings toward the organization remain wholly positive.

"Me and my family love it here, my agency loves it here. It's a great place to play hockey. We have a great management, we have a great team in this locker room," Marner told reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters, on Wednesday. "We all want, including myself, to be a Leaf for a long time and I'm sure that will happen."

Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, said Tuesday that the Maple Leafs had lowballed his client in contract talks. He clarified on Wednesday that his comments were in relation to initial talks in the summer and that things have actually been rather positive since.

Immediately after Auston Matthews' new five-year extension was announced Tuesday, speculation turned to what Marner could command on his pending deal. However, Marner and Ferris have been adamant that they won't negotiate a contract until after the season.

"There's really no rush for anyone, I think the Leafs know that as well," Marner said. "A deal is going to get done eventually. It's nothing to rush upon. I think like Kyle (Dubas) will probably tell you, our goal is here is to be a Maple Leaf for a long time and win a lot of Cups here. I'm sure that will happen eventually.

"I'll let Kyle and my agent talk. I've kind of told both parties that I don't really want to be informed until something's about to happen."

The 21-year-old is in the midst of a banner year in Toronto with 65 points in 53 games, a 100-point pace that would shatter his career high of 69 set last season. Those numbers will fetch a pretty penny whenever talks pick up again, but Marner maintains he's only concerned with one thing.

"As long as I am here next training camp that's all that really matters," he said.