Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has provided a clear indication of the team’s expectations regarding star forward Mitch Marner’s future. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Treliving confirmed that he anticipates Marner, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, will explore opportunities on the open market.
“Unless there’s a significant change here,” Treliving stated, “I would anticipate that he’s going to hit the market.”
This comment marks a shift towards a more definitive stance compared to Treliving’s previous remarks, which had left the door slightly ajar for Marner’s potential return. While acknowledging ongoing communication with Marner’s camp, Treliving indicated that substantial progress towards a new contract has not occurred.
Navigating the Challenge and Opportunity
The potential departure of a player of Marner’s caliber presents a significant challenge for the Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old winger is coming off his most productive NHL season, tallying a career-high 102 points, which ranked fifth across the league. Replacing a player who contributes significantly to scoring, the power play, and potentially the penalty kill is no easy task.
Treliving candidly acknowledged the difficulty, noting, “There’s not a Mitch Marner tree that you go to and just replace him.” However, he also framed the situation as an opportunity to reshape and improve the team. With Marner’s significant cap hit potentially off the books, the team gains flexibility to address other roster needs and structures.
The GM emphasized that the focus isn’t solely on finding a direct replacement on July 1 but rather on improving the team throughout the offseason through various avenues, including trades and free agency signings that may occur later in the summer. Efforts to add offense would extend beyond the initial free agency frenzy.
Marner’s Status and Agent’s Plans
Drafted fourth overall by Toronto in 2015, Marner has spent his entire nine-season NHL career with the Maple Leafs, accumulating 221 goals and 520 assists in 657 games. His six-year, $65.4 million contract expires on June 30. Should he reach July 1 as a UFA, Toronto would lose the ability to offer him an eight-year deal, limited instead to a maximum of seven years like any other interested team.
Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, has confirmed that per league rules, they are permitted to speak with other teams starting July 1. Ferris stated that Marner would engage in direct conversations with prospective teams after that date before making an “informed and thoughtful decision” on where to continue his career. This suggests Marner is likely to take his time deciding his next destination, making a pre-July 1 trade of his signing rights highly unlikely.
The Broader Offseason Picture
Marner’s anticipated departure is just one piece of a complex offseason puzzle for Treliving and the Maple Leafs, who are looking to change the team’s “DNA” after recent playoff disappointments, including two second-round exits to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Key priorities also include negotiating new contracts for other important players:
John Tavares (Pending UFA): Treliving expressed optimism for a “good outcome,” indicating a mutual desire between the team and the veteran captain to reach an extension before July 1. However, typical “stumbling blocks” like term and money remain unresolved close to the deadline.
Matthew Knies (Pending RFA): The team is confident in reaching a deal with the breakout winger, though the timing is less urgent than with UFAs. Treliving stressed the need to be prepared to protect the team against potential offer sheets from other clubs, which could require significant cap space.
The team also faces decisions on depth players and must navigate a limited pool of trade assets. With Auston Matthews signed for only three more seasons, there’s a sense of urgency to improve the team now. Treliving indicated a willingness to explore trades involving prospects and picks if they make sense, acknowledging the need to fill “major holes” that free agency alone might not address.
In essence, while the expectation is that Mitch Marner will test free agency, the Maple Leafs are actively working on multiple fronts to retool their roster and build a more competitive team for the seasons ahead, addressing contracts, exploring trades, and preparing for a landscape without their long-time star forward.
