Since the Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins, rumours have been swirling about trading Mitch Marner, John Tavares or Morgan Rielly to signify a massive change in philosophy with the Leafs. The obvious candidate to be traded of the three is Marner.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last week that he believed conversations between the Leafs and Marner would begin this week or next. It appears those conversations have begun, although not with GM Brad Treliving, as far as anyone knows.
Today, Marner was spotted meeting with Berube in Toronto. As Treliving did with Sheldon Keefe last off-season, and as Tavares said he was going to do with Berube, it was likely a 'getting to know you' meeting - discussing how Berube's system and Marner's play style would fit together.
Depending how the two see each other fitting together, this could be the beginning of a new style of play for Marner, or it could be the beginning of the end of Marner's tenure in Toronto. He and the Leafs will be under the microscope the entire off-season, or at least until a decision on his future is made.
