Breaking News: Insider Report Reveals Why Maple Leafs Determined to Trade $65 Million Forward by July 1…
The Toronto Maple Leafs are aiming to trade Mitch Marner by July 1, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli.
Following the Maple Leafs’ first-round playoff elimination by the Boston Bruins, trade rumors surrounding Marner have intensified. Entering the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million contract, Marner has been linked to several teams. However, his full no-movement clause means he must approve any trade.
Seravalli, speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on June 24, anticipates the Maple Leafs will make every effort to trade Marner by July 1.
"I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do everything within their power to try and make something happen."@frank_seravalli joins @JDBunkis to discuss the latest buzz surrounding Mitch Marner.#LeafsForever
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— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) June 24, 2024
“This is the week if it’s going to happen there is a strong likelihood that it happens this week. I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do everything within their power to try and make something happen,” Seravalli said on The JD Bunkis Show.
He added that while Marner’s consent is uncertain, the situation could become contentious if Marner refuses a trade, affecting team dynamics next season.
The push to trade Marner before free agency opens on July 1 is strategic, allowing Toronto to manage their salary cap and plan their free-agent signings accordingly. Last season, Marner scored 26 goals and provided 59 assists, totaling 85 points in 69 games.
No Extension Planned for Marner
Despite Marner’s desire to stay with the Maple Leafs, Seravalli believes an extension is unlikely. He argues that from an asset management perspective, it makes no sense to let a top-10 player walk for nothing at the end of his contract.
“Extending him is not on the table. Let’s take all the emotion out of it, let’s think about this as a pure asset management play. 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. You are not moving him at the deadline, what sense would it possibly make for you to go into next season saying we are going to use the last year of his deal and let him walk for nothing,” Seravalli said.
Given the likelihood that Marner won’t be re-signed, Seravalli is confident the Maple Leafs will trade him swiftly.
Marner’s Commitment to Toronto
Marner, who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and has been a lifelong Maple Leafs fan, expressed his desire to stay with the team following their playoff exit.
“That would be the goal. I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously I grew up here. I’ll start thinking about (a contract extension) now and try to figure something out,” Marner said on May 6, via The Athletic.
Drafted fourth overall by Toronto in the 2015 NHL draft, Marner has been a key player for the Maple Leafs throughout his career.
