TORONTO — Mitch Marner answered the question without really answering the question.
The forward stood in front of a blue-and-white backdrop at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility Tuesday, their logo everywhere you looked, being asked again if he wanted to remain with his hometown team.
“I’ve always loved my time here,” said Marner, who turned 28 on May 5. “I loved being here … I’ve been so grateful.”
What he didn’t say was, “Yes, I want to be back.”
There’s the rub.
On the day the Maple Leafs packed their equipment and held their final interviews before dispersing for the offseason, the fact that Marner was elusive in revealing his future plans only will further the onslaught of speculation that he…