The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively seeking to trade Mitch Marner before July 1, as reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli.
Marner has been a focal point of trade talks ever since the Maple Leafs’ early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins. Entering the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million contract, Marner has garnered interest from multiple teams. However, his full no-movement clause means he holds the power to approve any potential trade.
Frank Seravalli, speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on June 24, emphasized that the Maple Leafs are determined to facilitate a trade involving Marner before the impending July 1 free agency period. He underscored the urgency of this week as crucial for potential trade negotiations: “I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do everything within their power to try and make something happen.”
Seravalli highlighted the strategic challenge facing the Maple Leafs if Marner opts not to approve any proposed trade: “Whether or not he goes for it is a different story, but I think it is the story, if you are sitting there as a Leafs fans saying this team has made the determination that it is time to move on and he’s not willing, how is it going to work out for him next year when the Leafs tell everyone, yeah we tried to move him and he said no.”
The timeline is pressing due to the opening of free agency on July 1, necessitating Toronto to clarify Marner’s status for future salary cap planning and potential roster moves.
During the previous season, Marner demonstrated his on-ice prowess by tallying 26 goals and 59 assists, amounting to 85 points across 69 regular-season games.
Despite Marner expressing his desire to stay with the Maple Leafs following their playoff elimination, Seravalli believes a contract extension with Toronto is unlikely. “Extending him is not on the table,” Seravalli asserted, framing the situation as a strategic decision based on asset management rather than sentiment: “You have a top-10 player, you have a top-15 player in the league, you are not extending him, meaning one year from now it is over.”
Given the impending scenario, Seravalli is confident that the Maple Leafs will opt to trade Marner swiftly rather than risk losing him without compensation: “With Marner likely to not be expected to be re-signed, Seravalli is confident that will lead to the Maple Leafs trading the skilled forward and will do it rather quickly.”
Marner, who hails from the Greater Toronto Area and has been a Maple Leafs fan since childhood, expressed his affinity for the team during a recent media availability: “That would be the goal. I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously I grew up here.”
Since being selected fourth overall by Toronto in the 2015 NHL draft, Marner has been a pivotal figure for the Maple Leafs, though his future with the team now hangs in the balance amid trade speculation and contractual considerations.
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