ESPN Report: Maple Leafs closing trade for $65 Million Forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be shopping forward Mitch Marner, who has one year left on his six-year $65.4 million contract, ahead of free agency opening on July 1 ¹ ² ³ ⁴. Marner has a full no-movement clause, so he would need to approve any trade involving him ¹. Toronto general manager

Brad Treliving has said that the team will consider all options to improve the team, but that nothing has been decided yet ² ³ ⁴. Some analysts believe that Marner may be willing to waive his no-movement clause to play for the Chicago Blackhawks, who have the cap space to offer him an extension and a promising young player in Connor Bedard ² ³. Others have linked Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a potential trade involving goalie Logan Thompson ⁴.

Some in the media believe that the Maple Leafs will try to trade Marner by the end of June, ahead of free agency opening on July 1 ¹. Toronto will need to know if Marner will be on their team next season for cap reasons and who they can sign in free agency. Others think that Toronto may opt to re-sign Marner instead of trading him ³.

Marner has had a notable career with the Maple Leafs, earning him a six-year contract with an annual average value of $10.9 million in September 2019 ². With the contract expiring in 2025, Toronto will need to trade him now, extend his contract, or risk losing him for nothing ².

Marner expressed his desire to stay with the Maple Leafs by signing a contract extension after the 2024 season ended ². However, the Maple Leafs may not be willing to extend him, and may see trading him as their best option ¹. Marner recorded 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 regular season games last year ¹ ⁴. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in seven playoff games ⁴.