Tavares, like Marner, grew up in the Toronto area dreaming of being a Maple Leaf. When he left the New York Islanders to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million average annual value) on July 1, 2018, he publicly announced his decision by posting a childhood photo on social media of sleeping under Maple Leafs covers.

The Leafs drafted Marner with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft. If Marner, who scored a career-high 102 points this season, doesn't return to Toronto and leaves in free agency, he'd do so having racked up 741 points in 657 regular-season games with Toronto, along with 63 points in 70 playoff matches.

If Tavares doesn't return to the Maple Leafs, he'd close his chapter in Toronto with 493 points through 515 regular-season games spanning seven seasons, as well as appearing in 51 postseason contests, scoring 22 points.