The rumors surrounding a potential trade of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner have been persistent, and recent reports suggest we might be nearing a new chapter. According to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, there were discussions at the NHL draft about a possible Marner trade being completed by the second week of July. Although that timeline hasn’t been met, Koshan noted that we’re definitely “heading into that territory.”
Marner, a key player for the Maple Leafs, has been the subject of trade speculation for some time, primarily due to his high cap hit and the team’s need to manage their salary cap effectively. Any trade involving Marner would likely be significant, potentially involving multiple players or assets in return.
As we move further into July, it will be interesting to see if these rumors come to fruition and how such a trade could impact both the Maple Leafs and the receiving team.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun elaborated on the Mitch Marner trade rumors, mentioning that discussions at the NHL draft in late June in Las Vegas suggested a potential trade would take some time to finalize and wouldn’t occur for a couple of weeks. Koshan wrote, “The word coming out of the NHL draft at the end of June in Las Vegas was that if—a big if—Mitch Marner was going to be traded, it would take some time to consummate and probably wouldn’t happen for a couple of weeks. We’re heading into that territory on the calendar now, but there has been nothing to lead anyone to believe that a Marner trade actually will happen.”
This indicates that while the timeline for a possible Marner trade is approaching, there is currently no substantial evidence to suggest that a trade is imminent. The situation remains speculative, with no clear indication that a deal will be completed soon.
Terry Koshan also noted that Mitch Marner’s camp has consistently maintained that the star winger will be at training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs in September, as he enters the final year of his contract. Koshan wrote, “The line from Marner’s camp all along is that the star winger will be in camp in September with the Leafs as he heads into the final year of his contract. As we say, there has been nothing concrete to expect anything otherwise. Still, there’s no doubt that the Marner issue remains delicate.”
Marner had an impressive 2023-24 season, scoring 26 goals and 59 assists in just 69 regular-season games. However, the pressing issue is his expiring contract. The superstar winger is entering the final season of his six-year, $65.4 million contract, signed in 2019, which former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has referred to as his “biggest mistake.” Marner’s contract includes a full no-move clause, allowing him to block any trade if he doesn’t like the destination.
This no-move clause adds complexity to any potential trade discussions, as Marner has significant control over where he could be traded. As the situation evolves, it will be interesting to see how the Maple Leafs navigate this delicate issue and what decisions are made regarding Marner’s future with the team.
Mitch Marner Made Clear He Wants to Stay in Toronto
It’s reasonable for the Toronto Maple Leafs to explore the possibility of trading Mitch Marner now, rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires in July 2025. The Maple Leafs’ organization has been relatively quiet regarding Marner and how they will handle his situation since the end of the season.
Current Leafs general manager Brad Treliving emphasized before the start of the 2023-24 season that the franchise’s priorities were Auston Matthews and William Nylander, not Mitch Marner. This focus suggests that while Marner is a valuable player, the organization might be more inclined to secure the futures of Matthews and Nylander first, potentially making Marner expendable in their long-term plans.
Exploring trade options for Marner could provide the Leafs with valuable assets or cap flexibility, ensuring they don’t lose a star player without receiving any return. However, given Marner’s full no-move clause, any trade would require his approval, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Terry Koshan reported that a year ago, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving emphasized that re-signing Auston Matthews and William Nylander to extensions was his top priority. Koshan noted, “A year ago, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving made it clear that re-signing Auston Matthews and William Nylander to an extension occupied the top of his to-do list. And those signings happened, as Matthews was extended for four years in August and Nylander for eight years in January.”
Regarding Mitch Marner, Treliving has been more reserved in his public comments. Koshan wrote, “As far as Treliving has been willing to go in discussing Marner with the media is to remind everyone that he thinks Marner is a great player and ‘we’re lucky to have him.’ Little has been said, at least publicly, about extending Marner beyond 2024-25.”
This suggests that while Treliving acknowledges Marner’s talent and value to the team, there has been little indication of any concrete plans to extend his contract beyond its current term. The focus on Matthews and Nylander, coupled with the lack of public discussion about Marner’s future, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his status with the Maple Leafs.
During the end-of-season availability, Mitch Marner expressed his desire to sign a long-term deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His public statement indicates his commitment to the team and his interest in remaining a key player for the franchise. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation and trade rumors, Marner’s preference is to stay with the Leafs on a long-term basis.
Mitch Marner expressed his desire to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs in a long-term capacity during his end-of-season availability on May 6. He stated, “That’d be a goal. I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I’ve grown up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out… It means the world to me.”
Despite his eagerness to stay, the decision to offer an extension ultimately lies with the Maple Leafs’ management. As much as Marner wants to secure a long-term deal, he must wait for the team to initiate contract extension discussions.
Marner Vetoes Questions About Maple Leafs’ Future
Mitch Marner recently hosted the “Marner Assist Foundation” gathering on July 12, but he made headlines for restricting questions about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to David Alter of The Hockey News, Marner permitted only a few media members and outlets to conduct interviews, but he did not allow any questions related to the Maple Leafs or his future with the team.
This move underscores the delicate nature of his contract situation and the ongoing speculation about his potential trade or contract extension. By avoiding these topics, Marner appears to be focusing on his charitable endeavors and maintaining control over the narrative surrounding his future.
David Alter of The Hockey News reported on X that Mitch Marner is conducting media rounds for his Marner Assist Foundation, a charity now in its 6th year. Alter noted, “Mitch Marner is doing media rounds for his Marner Assist Foundation today, a great charity now in its 6th year. This year, though, has been quite different as far as interviews go. No #Leafs questions permitted.”
By restricting questions about the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner is likely aiming to keep the focus on his charitable work and avoid further speculation about his future with the team. This approach helps him manage the public narrative and maintain a positive image centered around his philanthropic efforts.
It’s definitely an intriguing situation with Mitch Marner. Contract negotiations and trade rumors often stir up a lot of speculation, especially when a player of Marner’s caliber is involved. If he ends up walking as a free agent, it could be a significant move for any team looking to add top-tier talent. Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to extend him before his contract expires?
It sounds like there’s a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding Mitch Marner’s future with the Maple Leafs. Negotiations can indeed be complex, and both parties need to find common ground. If the Leafs don’t prioritize an extension or if Marner seeks different opportunities, the possibility of him exploring free agency becomes more likely. It’ll be interesting to see how things unfold as the season progresses.
