The Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical offseason with nine unrestricted free agents, none more pivotal than Mitch Marner. As free agency approaches in just over three weeks, Marner’s decision to play through the 2024 season without a contract extension has left fans anxious about whether he will remain with the team.
Marner, 28, had a standout year, tallying 27 goals and a career-best 102 points during the regular season, leading the team in scoring. His playoff performance added two goals and 13 points, but the season ended on a sour note with a 6-1 loss in Game 7 of the second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers. After the defeat, Marner told reporters it was premature to discuss his future, fueling speculation that he might explore options elsewhere in 2025, as reported by Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network.
Should Marner depart, the ramifications for the Maple Leafs would be significant. One likely effect would be an increased chance of center John Tavares returning next season, as Tavares expressed his desire to stay following the playoff exit. Furthermore, this scenario hints at a substantial roster overhaul, a prospect acknowledged by general manager Brad Treliving.
Brad Treliving Foresees Need for Team’s Core to Evolve
During his post-season media availability, Treliving signaled that the current team structure requires changes.
“There’s some DNA that has to change in our team,”
he said.
“If you keep getting to the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change. That’s on me going forward. We’ve now started the planning, and it’s early, for putting a team together for 2025-26.”
With Auston Matthews and William Nylander both secured under contract for the next three seasons, the Maple Leafs will likely build their future around these key players. However, Marner’s potential exit could mean that middle-six forwards like Max Domi, David Kampf, and Scott Laughton might not be part of the team going forward, as Treliving looks to reshape the lineup.
Another important piece is Matthew Knies, a restricted free agent who just completed a 29-goal, 58-point season. At 22 years old, he is an attractive offer sheet candidate, especially considering Toronto’s expected salary cap constraints as it navigates re-signing its roster.
Long-Term Outlook Hinges on Free Agency Decisions
The looming uncertainty surrounding Mitch Marner’s contract status could prompt a domino effect impacting the Maple Leafs’ roster and strategy. While keeping core talents like Matthews and Nylander intact remains a priority, the team will need to address changes in its supporting cast. How the organization handles this transition may determine its competitiveness in upcoming seasons and shape its chances of advancing deeper in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.