The Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring each possibility on the subject of star ahead Mitch Marner, who is anticipated to alter addresses forward of the 2025-26 NHL season. There’s seemingly no restrict to how far Auston Matthews’ workforce is keen to go, with studies suggesting the Leafs might need a trick up their sleeve—signing Marner to a brand new contract solely to commerce him to a league powerhouse.
Marner’s time in Toronto could be up, with all indicators pointing to a brand new starting some other place for the previous 4th general choose within the 2015 NHL entry Draft. The hometown child’s story gave the impression to be too good to be true, as him, Matthews, and the Maple Leafs crumbled repeatedly within the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The strain is immense in The Six, the place followers have been ready 58 years to witness a championship. After yet one more postseason disappointment, it appears heads are set to roll—and together with his contract expiring on July 1st, Mitch Marner is shaping as much as be made an instance of.
Nonetheless, breaking apart the Matthews-Marner duo is a daring transfer in Toronto, so the Maple Leafs might be seeking to get one thing in return for his or her departing star, who has drawn attention from several teams in the NHL. On that notice, they may have discovered the proper various to attain simply that.
Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a breather in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens through the first interval in an NHL recreation at Scotiabank Enviornment on April 12, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Signal-and-trade
In accordance with studies from insider Cam Robinson, the Florida Panthers are critical about buying Marner this summer time, and the Maple Leafs are open to re-signing their once-considered franchise participant so as to work out a take care of their Atlantic Division rivals.
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NHL News: Mitch Marner likely makes a final decision on his future in Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs
“There’s actual smoke that the Florida Panthers might be gearing as much as make a run at Marner,” Robinson reported. “Phrase is that Toronto has opened the door to a sign-and-trade state of affairs, the place they ink Marner to a max-term extension (eight years) after which flip him to recoup some degree of worth.“
Implications
If the Panthers pursue a commerce for Marner, it will not directly counsel they don’t plan to increase one—or both—of Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, whose contracts expire on July 1st and whose worth has solely skyrocketed after their heroics within the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
SurveyWho ought to the Panthers prioritize for the upcoming season?
Who ought to the Panthers prioritize for the upcoming season?
Maybe the Panthers will undertake the same philosophy to the Leafs’ and re-sign certainly one of their high pending UFAs to facilitate a commerce. Florida normal supervisor Invoice Zito has made it clear that no transfer is simply too dangerous for him to keep away from, and he could also be making ready for one more certainly one of his signature blockbuster offers this NHL offseason.
