BREAKING: Maple Leafs ‘Changes Stance’ if They Will Trade $65 Million Winger

The Toronto Maple Leafs are yet to make a decision regarding the potential trade of forward Mitch Marner, as reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston of SDPN.

Despite ongoing trade speculations surrounding Marner following the team’s playoff elimination, the winger, who is in the final year of his six-year $65.4 million contract signed in 2019, remains uncertain about his future with the team. Johnston’s report indicates that Toronto has not reached a definitive conclusion on trading Marner.

“The Leafs are not leaning on Mitch Marner right now. They have not decided 100 percent they have to trade him, and they are going to make life uncomfortable, and they’re getting the list of names. None of that’s what’s going on,” Johnston said on The Chris Johnston Show.

Johnston suggests that the Maple Leafs intend to assess the market interest in Marner before discussing the possibility of asking him to waive 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, snd 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 said.

“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 see and gauge 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,” Johnston added.

Last year, Marner tallied 26 goals and 59 assists, accumulating 85 points in 69 regular-season games. During the playoffs, he contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, totaling 3 points across seven games.

There is a possibility that Marner could continue as a Maple Leaf in the upcoming season

Despite the abundance of trade rumors surrounding Marner, Johnston does not dismiss the idea of the talented winger staying with the Maple Leafs for the next season. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Johnston stated.

“It appears that he is content to play through his final year before becoming a free agent. The only scenario where a trade might occur is if he needed a contract extension this summer and felt uneasy about playing the final season…”

“The fact that Mitch Marner is ready to play out this season and possibly explore free agency next summer makes it quite likely that he will stay with the Maple Leafs. It is premature to confirm this as a certainty, and I’m not doing so,” Johnston emphasized. Johnston suggests that if the Maple Leafs opt to trade Marner, they must ensure it is a destination he is inclined to move to, and the trade should also elevate Toronto’s status as a Stanley Cup contender in the upcoming season

 

Marner’s potential trade destination could be the Vegas Golden Knights if the Maple Leafs decide to trade him.

During an appearance on The Leaf’s Nation podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman discussed a potential trade scenario which involved goalie Logan Thompson from the Golden Knights.

“I received information from sources suggesting that Vegas could show interest in Marner because they are known for pursuing top talent. There were discussions revolving around potential trade deals involving Shea Theodore and Logan Thompson,” Friedman explained.

Furthermore, there have been mentions of Marner being connected to the Nashville Predators in a trade package centered around goalie Juuse Saros.