Toronto Maple Leafs Have Decided to Trade Mitch Marner.
In a significant move that has the NHL buzzing, the Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to trade forward Mitch Marner. This decision, reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston of SDPN, comes after months of speculation and rumors surrounding Marner’s future with the team, especially following their elimination from the playoffs.
Mitch Marner, who has been a crucial part of the Maple Leafs’ lineup, is entering the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million deal signed in 2019. Despite his consistent performance, recording 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 regular season games last year, the team has been evaluating its options.
Johnston detailed the situation on The Chris Johnston Show, stating, “The Leafs are not leaning on Mitch Marner right now. They have not decided 100 percent they have to trade him, and they’re going to make life uncomfortable, and they’re getting the list of names. None of that’s what’s going on.” This indicates that while the decision to trade has been made, the Leafs are still in the process of gauging the market before making any final moves.
According to Johnston, the Maple Leafs plan to explore what the market for Marner looks like before approaching him about moving his no-movement clause. “I think there’s some frustration just about all the public discourse about it. That’s the nature of the beast when you’re that player, and when the possibilities are on the table that we’re talking about. But at this point in time, I don’t think the Leafs have a deal for them, and I don’t think they’ve gone to them and asked them for a list or anything like that,” Johnston explained.
The Maple Leafs are handling the situation delicately to avoid unnecessary public tension. Johnston added, “It does not make any sense for the Leafs to go to war with this player, to make this any more public than it already is. They are quietly behind the scenes seeing and gauging if there is a trade market and if there is, they will take it to the next step and see if Mitch Marner is willing to consider that move.”
Despite the decision to trade, there’s still a possibility Marner could remain with the Maple Leafs next season. Johnston noted, “I wouldn’t be that surprised. It seems as though he’s comfortable playing out his free-agent year. The only reason that I think it would have to happen is if he was in a spot where he needed an extension this summer, where he didn’t feel comfortable going into that final season.”
If the Maple Leafs do proceed with a trade, they need to ensure it is beneficial for both Marner and the team’s aspirations to be a Stanley Cup contender. Potential trade destinations have already been speculated, with the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators emerging as possible suitors. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned on The Leaf’s Nation podcast that a package involving goalie Logan Thompson from the Golden Knights has been considered.
As the situation develops, the hockey world will be watching closely to see where Mitch Marner might land and how the Maple Leafs will position themselves for the upcoming season.