Mitch Marner's contract is up this summer, and while many see him leaving, some have urged for the team to keep him by trading another top superstar.
After escaping the Ottawa Senators in round one, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing off with the Florida Panthers for a place in the Eastern Conference Finals, but some have their eyes on the summer.
In the off-season, the team face two big challenges with both John Tavares and Mitch Marner heading to free agency, but it's the latter that draws the most urgency, as No. 16 posted career highs across the board in 2024/25.
Now, ESPN's John Buccigross has suggested a shocking move that would help the team retain Marner moving forward, stating that they shouldn't be letting the veteran forward leave in free agency.
"Marner is a fascinating thing. I don't see how you let him go," Buccigross said. "Whether you have to trade (William) Nylander, I just don't see how you let that guy go."
While he does point out that Marner isn't the goal scorer that Nylander has been over his career, he's a smart player that kills penalties and plays a good 200ft game, with Buccigross continuing the praise of No. 16.
'Marner is not a big goal scorer. But $14 million for a really good PK guy and a lot of assists," Buccigross said. "Man, he's smart, man he's so God damn smart."
At this point in time, General Manager Brad Treliving is likely to try anything to keep Marner, but with his asking price reaching $14 million and perhaps beyond if he can continue his fantastic playoff performance thus far, and while moving Nylander is unlikely, who knows what Treliving is considering.
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