JUST IN: Leaf Fans Should Prepare For Talented Star Forward To Stay

The Toronto Maple Leafs are seeking adjustments after being eliminated in the first round by the Boston Bruins. General Manager Brad Treliving and President Brendan Shanahan acted swiftly, appointing a new coach within a month of their playoff exit. Among the ‘Core Four’ players for the Leafs, there is ongoing deliberation about potentially trading Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing significant decisions regarding the future of their star forwards, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

Both players have one year remaining on their contracts before hitting free agency in 2025. Marner and Tavares have full no-trade clauses, meaning they must agree to waive their clauses for a trade to occur.

Given their high cap hits and the team’s recent playoff struggles, trading one or both of these players might be the best option for the Leafs to retool their roster.

However, it is uncertain whether they will be willing to waive their clauses or if the team can find suitable replacements if they do leave.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are considering major changes to their roster this offseason, particularly regarding their core group of players. The focus has been on the team’s forwards, with Mitch Marner and captain John Tavares being the primary subjects of trade discussions.

Both Marner and Tavares are entering the final year of their current contracts. Tavares carries an $11 million cap hit, while Marner’s contract has a $10.9 million cap hit. Additionally, both players have full no-move clauses in their contracts, giving them the power to veto any potential trades.

However, Tavares’ production has not matched his high salary, making Marner a more attractive trade asset for the Leafs. While the idea of trading Marner has been widely discussed among fans and media, reports suggest that the team has not actively engaged in trade talks involving the star winger.

Just FYI, it's my understanding as of this moment that the Maple Leafs have not spoken to a single team about Mitch Marner. The Leafs were focused on the coaching situation which they've handled now. But there hasn't been any trade conversations regarding Marner.
Obviously we'll… https://t.co/uXMgmaRKgD

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 21, 2024

Mitch Marner and Craig Berube spotted together. Leafs fans buzzing. Offseason intrigue grows.

A recent photo circulating on Twitter shows Toronto Maple Leafs player Auston Marner and new head coach Craig Berube in a coffee shop in Etobicoke, Ontario, engaging in a discussion.

Fans of the Leafs, known as Leafs Nation, have speculated about the topics they might have discussed, but it is likely that this conversation was initiated by Berube.

During his introductory press conference, Berube mentioned that his primary goal is to get to know all team members, including players, and that he had already spoken with several players before his official introduction.

Given this context, it is reasonable to assume that the coffee date was part of Berube’s effort to interact with his players and learn more about them.

While Auston Marner’s contract negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs are ongoing, it’s not necessarily a bad outcome if he stays with the team.

Despite some Maple Leafs fans wanting to part ways with Auston Marner, he brings significant value to the team. As an elite playmaker, Marner has consistently come close to reaching 100 points in a season, and if he played a full 82 games, he might have already achieved this milestone.

Additionally, he is a strong playoff performer, leading the current Leafs in playoff points with 50 and averaging over a point per game in two consecutive playoffs. Marner has also experienced high-pressure situations, such as winning the Memorial Cup with the London Knights in 2016, where he scored 116 points in 57 games and 14 points in four Memorial Cup games.

Auston Marner is entering a contract year, which could impact his performance and negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

Auston Marner, drafted fourth overall in 2016 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, expressed his desire to stay with his hometown team long-term.

This makes it difficult for General Manager Brad Treliving to trade him, considering Marner’s no-movement clause. Additionally, Marner’s contract is set to expire soon, which reduces his value to potential trading teams, as they would have no guarantee of his long-term commitment.

His poor playoff production also slightly diminishes his value.

Letting Auston Marner play out his contract year could change the minds of those who want him traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs. This approach is similar to how the team handled William Nylander’s contract negotiations, which were resolved midway through the season.

Nylander then went on to prove his worth with strong performances. If Marner has a standout season, it may convince the team and fans that he deserves to stay in Toronto long-term.

If the Maple Leafs decide to trade Auston Marner.

At the Maple Leafs’ season-ending press conference, General Manager Brad Treliving and the management team indicated that they will explore all options during the offseason, including potentially trading members of the “Core Four.

This could include Auston Marner, who could be used to clear cap space for free agents like Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. The team also needs to address areas such as a top goaltender and defenceman.

However, trading Marner could lead to a similar outcome as the departures of Phil Kessel and Nazem Kadri, where the player’s talent is not fully utilized elsewhere.