As the NHL draft approaches on Friday and free agency looms on July 1, the Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical moment regarding winger Mitch Marner’s future. General manager Brad Treliving confirmed the likelihood that Marner will enter the open market, signaling a major change for the franchise after nine seasons.
Bracing for Marner’s Departure Despite Ongoing Communications
In a final media update before the draft, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving addressed the status of the team’s pending free agents, focusing on the high-profile situation with Mitch Marner. Treliving admitted that unless something unexpected arises, Marner, who just completed his best season with 102 points, is poised to leave Toronto.
“Unless there’s a significant change here, I would anticipate that he’s going to hit the market,”
Treliving said. “We’ve had communication.” However, he also remarked,
“I wouldn’t say a whole lot of change right now,”
indicating no new progress in negotiations. At 27 years old, Marner recently surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time in his career and added 13 points in the playoffs.
Challenges in Replacing a Franchise Star
Treliving acknowledged that replacing Marner on a one-to-one basis would be difficult, given his impact on the team over nine seasons, tallying 741 points in 657 games.
“I don’t know if it’s an opportunity (to find a one-for-one Marner replacement) when he’s leaving,”
Treliving said.
“There’s cap space available, so that leads us to how are we going to use that. There’s not a Mitch Marner tree you go to and just replace him.”
Marner’s playoff production, while solid, has been less prolific than his regular-season play, with 50 points in 70 postseason games. The organization, however, is preparing for life without their star winger as free agency begins, considering options to maximize available salary cap space. Treliving left the door open for further talks but tempered expectations.
“We’ll see how everything goes,” he added.
Implications and What Lies Ahead for the Maple Leafs
Should Marner formally enter free agency, he would be the most sought-after player, with predictions like Daily Faceoff estimating a contract worth around seven years and $91 million. The Maple Leafs’ approach to offseason planning must account for the potential loss of one of their top performers.
This decision marks a significant transition for Toronto’s roster and strategy, as they adapt to the inevitable absence of a key leader on and off the ice. The unfolding free agency period will be decisive for the team’s future competitiveness and structure.