from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,

... But with training camp around the corner, and with the William Nylander experience there for all Leaf fans to reference, it’s pretty clear the Toronto hockey public should get used to the idea Marner won’t be in camp and almost certainly won’t play 82 games this season.

So if you’re Kyle Dubas and your plans of signing Marner to a new contract well before now have clearly not panned out, it’s time to start imagining other possibilities. Such as the scenario under which Marner doesn’t sign and doesn’t play this season.

Or the one that has him playing for some other team.

That’s a crappy scenario, to be sure. He was a crafty pick at fourth overall by the Leafs, he has succeeded beyond expectations, he’s a local lad and everybody likes the little guy who doesn’t let his size hold him back. To consider scenarios that have him performing his wizard act for another NHL team really are not appealing. He’s just too much fun to watch, too much of a competitor.

But that’s the way this might have to go.

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