Mitch Marner gets backed into a corner by Maple Leafs!

Some say that forward Mitch Marner will be playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2024-25 season, others think otherwise. One of them is insider Frank Seravalli, who believes the Maple Leafs will force Marner into a tough situation in the coming weeks, which could lead to more than one significant moves.

“I think the Leafs are going to make a play and basically back him into a corner over the next three weeks, saying, ‘Mitch, it’s been great, but we’re moving on. So whether it’s now or eight months from now, your time’s up.’”

This of course led to different scenarios in which we could see Marner leave Toronto, with one specific plan for the Maple Leafs to go after free agent star winger Jake Guentzel in July.

Now becoming one of the most coveted forwards on the free agent market comes July 1st, Guentzel will garner the interest of pretty much every team out there. Guentzel, who is looking for a shot at winning year-in, year-out, is likely to command quite a significant salary, as it has been projected that Guentzel could get a massive six year deal at $8 million annually as a free agent. Mathematically speaking, Toronto would be ruled out…

Unless they make room for Guentzel by trading Marner.

Guentzel, who was traded from the Penguins to the Carolina ahead of the March deadline, could be on his way up to Canada, but only IF the Maple Leafs make the bold move of shipping out Marner, after he agrees to waive his clause to whatever team Toronto strikes a deal with, and get the room for the coveted pending free agent.

If that starts with a Marner trade, let’s not forget he remains in control control with his full no-movement clause and Toronto cannot trade or waive him without his permission.

Marner, who carries an AAV of $10.9 million and a full no-movement clause, is focused on honoring the final year of his deal and hasn’t submitted any list of preferred trade destinations to Maple Leafs’ management.

Let’s see how he reacts to the idea of being backed into a corner by the Maple Leafs.