Mitch Marner: on the verge of leaving Toronto?

The Maple Leafs suffered another early playoff exit earlier in May, and fans just feel like significant changes are coming to Toronto. The team has already proven how serious it was when head coach Sheldon Keefe was fired and quite quickly replaced by Craig Berube. Now, the focus shifts to the roster, and there is nothing to quiet down the rumours surrounding winger Mitch Marner.

While it has been reported by Pierre LeBrun that Marner has not been asked, yet, to prepare a list of teams for a potential trade, as he has a full no-movement clause in his contract, insider Chris Johnston is absolutely convinced that the winger is already out of Toronto. On his podcast, Johnston states that he will ultimately be traded by general manager Brad Treliving, seeing that he’s never backed down from monster transactions. Let’s just look back at his time in Calgary, where as the Flames’ GM he pulled the trigger on the controversial swap of Matthew Tkachuk for the duo of Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar two years ago.

Though Johnston seems adamant that Marner is on his way out of Toronto, there are still many obstacles in moving such a star player, whose current deal sees him paid a shade over $10.9 million against the cap. He can start negotiations o a new deal as early as July, 1st, and will most likely be in line for a raise.

Let’s not forget also how the Maple Leafs gave Marner a full no-move clause in his contract so he will have the final say on where he ends up if he is moved.

If a contender offers the Maple Leafs a good offer, and they can negotiate a contract extension with Marner since there is only one year left on his current deal, maybe the winger will want to listen.

However, there is just no way the Maple Leafs and Treliving will win a Marner trade at this point. But again, that’s what’s been said on his Tkachuk trade too… !?

Amidst all the rumours, the Nashville Predators have been linked to Marner and when they traded defenseman Ryan McDonagh and consequently freed up an additional $ 6.5 million in cap space, the chatter only got louder and gave some ammunition to Johnston to call a Marner trade coming to Toronto.

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