In recent seasons, the hockey world has seen major player movements, including Steven Stamkos‘ 2025 departure from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Nashville Predators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights via sign-and-trade. The Maple Leafs are now exploring options to replace Mitch Marner Maple Leafs fans know was a significant contributor, with Steven Stamkos emerging as a potential candidate to fill that gap.

Teams losing star players often seek immediate replacements. After Stamkos left Tampa Bay, the Lightning secured Jake Guentzel on a seven-year deal, a move that paid off as Guentzel scored a career-high 41 goals in the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, Toronto has yet to find a direct replacement for Marner despite transactions involving Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua. While these additions show promise, they have not matched the offensive output lost with Marner’s departure.

Current Roster and Opportunities for Improvement

The Maple Leafs might not feel an urgent need to replicate Marner’s production exactly, as Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander are positioned to increase their offensive roles. However, acquiring another dependable top-six forward remains a priority for Toronto to strengthen its scoring depth and boost overall team performance.

Given these circumstances, Steven Stamkos has attracted attention as a veteran star who could benefit from a change of scenery. His first season with Nashville did not fully meet expectations, opening the door for Toronto to consider him as a valuable addition who might thrive in a new environment.

Assessing Stamkos’s Potential for a Revival in Toronto

Steven Stamkos delivered a decent 2024-25 season, tallying 27 goals and 52 points across all 82 games. While these numbers reflect steady production, they fall short of his career highs and raise questions about his current form at age 35. According to Evolving Hockey metrics, Stamkos posted 4.2 Offensive Goals Above Replacement, suggesting moderate offensive contributions, although defensive challenges and costly penalties factored into his play.

Further analysis paints a more optimistic picture. Stamkos’s Expected Offensive Goals Above Replacement stood at 8.9, with an impressive 5.1 Expected Power Play Offensive Goals Above Replacement, indicating that the volume and quality of scoring chances he generated were significantly higher than his actual output. This discrepancy hints at an underperformance that could be corrected, with proper support potentially enabling him to regain a higher scoring level.

Introducing Stamkos to the Maple Leafs’ lineup carries risks but also the prospect of a notable offensive boost. If Stamkos returns to his peak form, he could provide Toronto with the skilled top-six forward depth needed following Marner’s trade.

Trade Hurdles Linked to Salary and Player Consent

Securing Steven Stamkos, however, presents practical challenges, particularly related to contract and salary cap constraints. Stamkos remains under contract through the 2027-28 season at an $8 million annual cap hit, coupled with a full no-movement clause that grants him veto power over trades or waivers. This clause means Stamkos must approve any relocation, complicating negotiations substantially.

The Maple Leafs face their own limitations, with just over $1.9 million in salary cap space after re-signing Nick Robertson. Making a deal for Stamkos would require Toronto to move or absorb considerable salary to accommodate the veteran’s contract.

While the likelihood of this trade is low under current conditions, there is potential for conversations if the Predators start the season poorly or if Stamkos expresses willingness to entertain a move. The Maple Leafs would need to be prepared for a complex, high-profile trade to acquire a player of Stamkos’s caliber and experience.

Implications and Next Steps for Toronto’s Offense

The Maple Leafs’ pursuit of Steven Stamkos would represent a daring strategy to Replace Mitch Marner Maple Leafs supporters see as critical for maintaining their competitive edge. Acquiring a veteran scorer could significantly alter Toronto’s offensive dynamics, complementing established stars like Matthews and Nylander.

However, balancing salary commitments and convincing Stamkos to waive his no-movement clause are formidable barriers. The club’s front office must weigh the potential reward against these obstacles and prepare to act decisively should the opportunity arise.

As the 2025-26 season approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Toronto can engineer this blockbuster trade or if the team will continue relying on internal development and smaller acquisitions to fill the void left by Marner.