If there’s one thing Rankin Inlet resident and lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan Gabe Karlik knows, it’s that this time of year almost always brings with it both shock and sadness.

Yet, somehow hope springs eternal for Leafs fans and Karlik is already looking ahead to the future.

Karlik said he fully expects Leafs star forward Mitch Marner to leave this summer when he becomes a free agent on July 1.

Surprisingly, however, he said if he could re-sign Marner as a Leaf, he would. 

And the surprises don’t end there.

“If there was an opportunity to trade (Leafs captain Auston) Matthews, I would,” said Karlik. “The thing for me is, they expect Marner to score and he’s never been a big goal scorer.

“He scored 30 goals, yeah, but that’s his ceiling. If you look at players like Adam Oates and those guys, they were never criticized for not scoring goals.

“Only in Toronto can a guy get 70 assists and still be told, ‘you’re not doing enough.’

“And, he plays defence and kills penalties. What else can he do? Other than not fight, what else can he contribute?”

Karlik was quick to add, however, if he was Marner, he wouldn’t re-sign in Toronto.

He said can also understand if Marner decides not to sign with a Canadian team at all.

“Wherever he signs in Canada, he’s going to be a hard focus, right? As (Florida Panthers forward Brad) Marchand said, some people strive on attention and some people don’t. And Marner is one of those who doesn’t.

“I don’t think Leafs fans could take a complete rebuild, but, if they go that route, they should tank again next year (to secure a high first-round pick in the draft).

“As far as the Leafs deciding to tinker with their lineup rather than do a rebuild, with (William) Nylander’s big raise last year he and (John) Tavares just basically traded contracts.

“As far their chances next year, especially without Marner, it all depends on who they sign as free agents. I think, at this point, I’d rather see the rebuild. Either way, I’m always going to be a Leafs fan, but they sure know how to make you