The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ disappointing postseason continued in 2024, as they were knocked out by the Boston Bruins in the first round. With their season concluded, rumors about the Maple Leafs have begun circulating, with Mitch Marner at the center of attention.
Mitch Marner, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has played his entire eight-year career in Toronto. However, it seems this could change in the upcoming offseason.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravelli of Daily Faceoff, the chances of Marner returning for a ninth season with the Maple Leafs are extremely slim. During an appearance on the DFO Rundown podcast, Seravelli suggested that the odds of Marner staying are very low.
“I think there’s a five percent chance or maybe even less that he’ll be a Leaf next season,” Seravelli said (H/T Heavy).
Marner is entering the final season of a significant six-year, $65.4 million contract, and trade rumors have surrounded him for some time now. While Marner would like to remain with the team that drafted him, it doesn’t seem likely.
At 27 years old, Marner should attract several teams as a trade target this offseason. He has been highly productive, with 639 points in 576 regular season games, including 194 goals and 445 assists.
Seravelli argues that trading Marner is necessary. The Maple Leafs need major changes, and Marner has been frequently mentioned in rumors.
“They have to make big changes, it’s not a choice. Brendan Shanahan said after the season ended, we have to consider everything, everything is on the table, that’s the message. I can’t imagine doing this again for a ninth consecutive season. After spending this much on your core, knowing that it makes zero sense to even enter the season where you are either signing Mitch Marner to an extension or you trade him. To start this year in the final year of his deal makes zero sense. I think there’s a single-digit percent chance that Mitch Marner is in a Maple Leafs’ uniform starting in October,” Seravelli said on May 20 (H/T Heavy).
It will be interesting to see how the situation between Marner and the Maple Leafs unfolds. They have already made one major change, hiring Craig Berube to replace Sheldon Keefe as coach. The next step will be to shake up the roster.
