The speculation surrounding Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs intensified after he was spotted talking with new coach Craig Berube at a coffee shop. It is unclear whether Berube was discussing Marner’s no-movement clause or trying to persuade him that things will improve under the new coach.
Only Marner and Berube can provide definitive answers, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned on his podcast that one scenario is gaining traction.
Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet mentioned that one possible scenario is that Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs could play out over the next season. Friedman noted that the conversation between Marner and the team is delicate because both sides want to appear as winners. If the Leafs were to trade Marner, the move would need to have a significant impact, either by bringing in valuable assets or freeing up cap space for another significant transaction.
Some members of the Leafs management are concerned about a potential Nazem Kadri 2.0 scenario, where Marner is traded and goes on to succeed elsewhere, much like Kadri did after being traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Marner’s side is unwilling to agree to anything that would put them in a bad light, making the situation complicated.
Friedman also discussed the potential reaction of Leafs fans if Marner starts the season without a long-term deal. Marner may see this as an opportunity to bet on himself, but Friedman believes Marner must consider how fans will react to this scenario.
In other news, Friedman mentioned that former New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert could be an assistant under Craig Berube in Toronto. In Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson is expected to return as an assistant under new head coach Travis Green, with Mike Yeo, Nolan Baumgartner, and Ben Sexton possibly completing the coaching staff.
Regarding management moves, Friedman does not think Mark Hunter, the London Knights GM, is likely to become the Edmonton Oilers’ GM, citing the current team’s success and the upcoming draft and free agency events.
Elliotte Friedman discussed the unusual situation surrounding the Edmonton Oilers’ GM role, citing the proximity of the Stanley Cup Final to the draft and the impending expiration of the current GM’s contract. He also mentioned the open Carolina Hurricanes’ GM position after Don Waddell left for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Friedman noted that former Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen is being considered for the Hurricanes’ role. However, he emphasized that the new GM hire will not have traditional GM powers. Instead, the role will involve collecting information and presenting it to other members of the front office, with the final decision-making authority resting elsewhere.
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