According to an insider, the Maple Leafs are about to sign a $68 million defenseman. In Mock The Toronto Maple Leafs could trade Mitch Marner for Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, according to NHL insider James Mirtle of The Athletic.
Marner is at the top of many trade rumors heading into the offseason, as he approaches the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million contract with the Maple Leafs, signed in 2019. Since Toronto was eliminated from the playoffs, Marner has been the focus of trade rumors, and Mirtle feels Tampa Bay is a dark horse team to land him, maybe trading Sergachev for him.
“Perhaps something with the Lightning, who appear to be movers and shakers here. It would be Sergachev,” Mirtle remarked on Sportsnet’s JD Bunkis show on June 26.
Sergachev has seven years remaining on the eight-year, $68 million contract he signed on July 13, 2022. The Russians also do not have any trade protection until July 1, so if Tampa Bay does go ahead with this faux agreement, it must be completed before July 1 without Sergachev’s approval.
Sergachev played 34 games for the Lightning last season, scoring two goals and 17 assists for a total of 19 points. Sergachev broke his leg last season, but prior to the injury was a crucial component of
Insider Explains Why the Maple Leafs Should Make That Trade.
After Mirtle shared the mock deal, he stated that if it is on the table, Toronto should make it.
The transaction would free up more than $2 million in cap space and provide Toronto with a real No. 1 defenseman in Sergachev, who has seven years remaining on his contract.
“You gain a little bit of cap space, you get a defenseman, and you hope Sergachev recovers; he didn’t have a terrific year but played hurt for much of the season. I think the Lightning are looking at it; maybe, they lose Stamkos, they are having a turning point there, and they want to see if they can get that team back to
Tampa Bay would benefit from signing Marner as a dynamic offensive playmaker to their squad. Sergachev’s role has also lessened as a result of the team’s acquisition of Ryan McDonagh while still having Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak.
Marner Wants to Stay With the Maple Leafs
Although Marner has been the subject of transfer rumors, he has a full no-movement clause that allows him to reject any trade.
After the Maple Leafs were ousted from the playoffs, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Marner wants to stay in Toronto.
