Three UFAs Who Can Be Mitch Marner’s Replacement For The Toronto Maple Leafs

Several reports suggest that Mitch Marner will not sign a new contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Therefore, general manager Brad Treliving will need to create a plan in case that happens. It won’t be easy for the Maple Leafs to replace a forward like Marner. He is a 100-point scorer, a Selke Trophy finalist, and led his team in scoring for five of his nine seasons. However, Leafs’ management will have to do their best to make up for the scoring they may lose this offseason. If Marner does walk, William Nylander would likely be bumped up to the first line. That leaves an open spot on the second line, likely on the wing.

Outside of Marner, the upcoming free agency class isn’t an extremely talented one. Nonetheless, there are a few players who could fit the role, while leaving cap space for another signing or two. Here are three players that the Maple Leafs could bring in to fill a potential Marner-sized hole.

Marner’s Replacement(s)

1. Nikolaj Ehlers

Nikolaj Ehlers would be the best replacement for Marner in terms of pure skill and playmaking ability. Ehlers is a player who has been overlooked, playing with the Winnipeg Jets for 10 seasons. He’s never reached more than 64 points or 29 goals in a season. However, this season he nearly averaged a point per game, recording 63 points in 69 games. The Danish winger has elite stick-handling abilities and a great offensive mind.

With his great offensive skill, some tradeoffs come with acquiring Ehlers. For starters, he doesn’t have the same defensive mind and skill that Marner has shown throughout his career. In addition, Ehlers is not a penalty killer like Marner is. Furthermore, Ehlers has had a history of bad and consistent injuries. This season, he’s had multiple issues, including a lower-body injury, a foot injury, and an undisclosed injury that forced him out of the majority of the first round of the playoffs.

Overall, the 29-year-old will be paid much less than Marner ever earned, but can still supply offence at an elite level. If the Leafs acquire him, it’ll be a bonus if he can stay healthy.

2. Sam Bennett

Many teams will be lining up for Sam Bennett’s services this summer. While TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that it’s unlikely that Bennett would sign with the Leafs, he said that “20 or more teams might pursue him.” Bennett doesn’t score or produce offensively like Marner or any first-line forward. However, he has a trait that cannot be taught: his ability to perform in the playoffs.

In his last 55 playoff games with the Florida Panthers, Bennett has recorded 21 goals and 43 points. Compared to his regular-season numbers, he’s punching above his weight in the playoffs. Bennett’s best regular season was this past campaign, where he scored 25 goals and 51 points in 76 appearances. Instead of putting the puck in the net, Bennett’s forte is his physical play, and he fits Florida’s style of play perfectly. The Panthers thrive off forechecking and wearing down the opposition’s defencemen, and Bennett is at the forefront of that.

The 28-year-old centre could be a fit for Toronto coach Craig Berube and his style. Bennett is a north-south player who isn’t afraid to get inside position and go hard to the net. He may have long stretches in the season where he might go goalless, but he will remain consistent in the way he approaches the game.

3. Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is a player who is likely not on Treliving’s radar. However, that doesn’t mean that he could be an effective replacement for Marner on the Leafs’ roster. Furthermore, among players who are pending UFAs, Granlund is potentially the player closest to Marner in terms of strengths. Granlund is an elite playmaker in the NHL, specifically a passer. He’d likely slot in on Toronto’s top power-play unit, setting up Nylander and Auston Matthews.

The power play isn’t the only special team that he’ll feature on, he’s been a regular penalty killer throughout his 13-year career. Furthermore, he’s been a top-15 Selke candidate before. In these playoffs with the Dallas Stars, he’s averaging 1:21 time on ice while shorthanded, and 1:50 on the power play.

Granlund is a well-rounded player who can play just about anywhere in the top-six forward group. Even though he is currently a winger for the Stars, he is very experienced as a centreman, winning 48.5 percent of faceoffs over his career.