Insider sheds light on potential status of top Maple Leafs stars
What the future holds for Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner has been arguably the most debated topic of the NHL offseason.
The subject of seemingly every trade rumor since the season ended, Marner has just one season left on his contract before hitting free agency next offseason.
And while it would certainly behoove the Maple Leafs to trade Marner instead of letting him walk for nothing in a year, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston recently stated during an appearance on the “SDPN podcast” that he believes a trade is actually the least likeliest scenario.
“It’s probably slightly more likely he walks than signs an extension but not significantly so,” Johnston said. “If we were setting the betting lines now the favorite would be (he) walks as a free agent. Then I would say re-sign the next favorite, and then trade three.”
Of course, Toronto can always re-sign the 27-year-old forward, who’s due a raise from the $10.9M salary he’s ma
The Maple Leafs will have John Tavares and his $11M cap hit coming off their books in 2025, as well as defenseman Jake McCabe and his $2M salary, and the team could also trade away other players (like David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok) to make the money work for a Marner extension.
Since his rookie year in 2016, Marner has scored 60 or more points in every one of his eight seasons. He’s scored 30 or more goals twice and hit the 90-point mark three times, including two of the last three years.
Marner ranked third on the Maple Leafs in points (85) and fourth in goals (26) this season, and he’s led the team in scoring three of the last five seasons.
