With the emergence of Matthew Knies last season, GM Brad Treliving has some thinking to do regarding upcoming free agent Mitch Marner and his future with the Leafs.
Since being drafted 57th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2021, Matthew Knies has emerged from the Toronto system not only to prove he belongs with the main squad but he quickly found his way skating on the first line with superstar Auston Matthews and fellow dynamic winger Mitch Marner.
Matthew Knies, in 80 games last season ended up scoring 15 goals and 20 assists in his first season; not too shabby for someone who only played in two years of collegiate hockey before transitioning to the NHL, completely bypassing their AHL affiliate and locking down a spot. He's poised to be even deadlier this season and with the chemistry he has with his linemates built up from last year, there's no telling how well Knies can do.
He's already gained the trust of his coach, donning the 'A' during the Maple Leafs preseason game against Montreal; and people have taken notice; the Maple Leafs need to extend Knies sooner rather than later
Speaking of his linemate, where does this leave Mitch Marner? The Maple Leafs' 4th overall pick in 2015 has been nothing short of electric in his time with Toronto amassing 194 goals and 445 assists in 576 games and exciting fans every time he steps foot onto the ice. He's not found much postseason success with the Maple Leafs (as is the case with the rest of the Core Four) but still contributes in the postseason scoring 50 points in 59 games. He's set to be a free agent at the end of this season and with Knies, William Nylander, not to mention the potential of Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten in the wings; can Toronto afford to keep him?
Brad Treliving has to weigh his options this summer, such as nabbing another elite defenseman such as Ivan Provorov or Vladislav Gavrikov? Does he go all out and offer Igor Shesterkin the bank in order to secure his goaltending tandem of the future in Woll and Shesterkin? There's so many avenues where Marner's money can be spent elsewhere.
Marner no doubt is going to command at least $11M in salary this upcoming free agency, and Toronto doesn't have the room if they want to re-sign John Tavares as well unless the veteran takes an incredibly steep discount. It won't be for a lack of trying but there are some teams out there with the cap space such as the Chicago Blackhawks, who already have a ton of space and can open that up with losing Alec Martinez next year. Marner and Bedard would be an incredibly deadly combination and could lead the rebuild in Chicago must faster than anticipated.
You've also got the San Jose Sharks who are in the midst of a serious rebuild but with the acquisition of Yaroslav Askarov, and youngsters Macklin Celebrini, Klim Kostin, and Ty Dellandrea; Marner alongside them would be arguably the most exciting team to watch in the NHL. He won't be shy of lucrative offers and if Toronto isn't willing to budge on their gameplan, we could see a much different Maple Leafs team come 2025-2026.
The questions surrounding Mitch Marner aren't going to go away anytime soon, and this entire 2024-2025 season will be make or break for not only Marner but for the Maple Leafs. Find success, and you may keep the peace. Fail again? You're going to have to make a change, and a serious one this time.
