Although there haven’t been any recent updates about a Mitch Marner trade—and it seems increasingly likely that he won’t be traded—there is still speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs might consider moving the superstar forward this offseason. Trading Marner is challenging, mainly because the Leafs want to ensure they don’t come out on the losing end of the deal. To address this, acquiring players with a very different style could be beneficial. This way, the Maple Leafs and their fans could evaluate the trade using a variety of criteria, much like comparing apples to oranges.
For instance, if the Leafs traded Marner for a defenseman, they would address different needs with those players. Similarly, swapping elite skill for a combination of skill and grit could offer a different kind of value. The question then becomes: what is the worth of such a dynamic change?
With just one year left on his contract at a $10.9 million cap hit, trading Marner could help the team avoid losing him to free agency next year. Additionally, Marner is the type of player who could potentially bring back multiple assets and fill gaps that the Leafs currently have.
The Maple Leafs Need More “Sandpaper”
Stu Grimson from NHL Network is among those who think that trading a player of Marner’s caliber, while challenging, could ultimately be advantageous for the team. He emphasized that the Leafs need to add more grit to their top six, especially given their difficulties against physically tough players like Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett during their playoff series against the Florida Panthers.
Recognizing the immense value Marner has brought to the Leafs throughout his tenure, Grimson correctly notes that Marner’s game lacks the fight and physicality (or “truculence,” as Brian Burke used to call it). Grimson points out that the Leafs need a gritty player who can also contribute offensively. While trading someone with Marner’s potential for just that element isn’t ideal, he might be the key to obtaining the right assets to bolster the team’s roster with both toughness and skill.
Toronto Can Reshape Its Roster With a Marner Trade
The exact return for Marner is uncertain without considering his salary, his willingness to sign long-term with another team, and what other teams are prepared to offer. Nonetheless, Marner is an elite player who could yield a significant return, potentially including a gritty player or a combination of skilled and gritty assets.
With four seasons of scoring 85 or more points and three seasons exceeding 90 points, Marner is a highly valuable asset. Teams would be willing to pay handsomely for him if they know he’s open to joining and staying long-term. Marner is expected to command a salary of over $11 million annually, and whatever the Leafs receive in return, it will likely cost less than that.
Grimson believes that the return for Marner would be substantial. “I’d expect a solid, established NHL player to be part of the deal, along with a mix of picks and prospects.” He added, “It should be a rich return.”
Such a lucrative package might be too tempting for Toronto to pass up, especially if it could enhance their playoff prospects. As the offseason progresses, Maple Leafs management will need to balance the advantages of keeping a star like Marner against the potential for a transformative trade that could address their current deficiencies.
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