Bad News Emerges for Maple Leafs After Elliotte Friedman's Report on Jonathan Marchessault
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman reports the Maple Leafs might be out of luck if they wanted to trade for veteran forward Johnathan Marchessault.
With the Maple Leafs losing out on Mitch Marner, they could have turned to the trade market to replace him with Nashville Predators forward Jonathan Marchessault, who might need a fresh start after a tough season.
Jonathan Marchessault Wants to Play in No-Tax State
However, according Elliotte Friedman and his 32 Thoughts podcast, the Maple Leafs are probably out of luck if they wanted to bring him aboard, and it has to do with the pesky tax situation:
Marchessault is really blunt in his feelings towards choosing a place to play in 2025.
He's moved from a no-tax state [Florida] to another no-tax state [Tennessee], so any deal would be necessitated by a move to another no-tax state. - Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
He's moved from a no-tax state [Florida] to another no-tax state [Tennessee], so any deal would be necessitated by a move to another no-tax state. - Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
Much like several other players, the issue with the Maple Leafs signing anyone seems to lean heavily on the tax situation in Canada.
If you play for a Canadian team, you pay Canadian taxes, which are traditionally higher, and the issues surrounding the Canada Revenue Agency and John Tavares' contract; it might dissuade players from coming here.
It's well within his right to want to earn as much money as possible, and it could be a trend we see more and more given the rising cap and propensity to make a ton of untaxed dollars.
Marchessault had 56 points in 78 games for the Predators, his first season with the club; he signed a five-year, $27.5M deal last summer as part of a flurry of moves from GM Barry Trotz.
How Can Toronto Persuade Free Agents?
It's hard to really nail down one particular method the team can take to persuade free agents, there is still a lot to appreciate about the team and city as a whole.
Put the media pressure aside; that's never going away.
But the chance to play for one of the NHL's most successful, historic, and popular franchises is a big selling point and to wear a Leafs jersey is something of a momentous occasion for a hockey player.
Plus, as much as Toronto hasn't had much success in the way of playoff wins or Cups, that also in and of itself is a negotiating point.
There are so who might think they are the key to the Leafs' woes, and want to be seen as a hero for the team instead of vilified could jump on and become a leader.
They've also got money, and while it's not a lot of expendable cash they do have the means to pay players, especially ones who want to be here.
The Leafs also have a plan, as Craig Berube and Brad Treliving are going to work tirelessly to transform the team from the offensively gifted yet sloppy lineup into a more cohesive and grittier group.
So with their history, their cap potential, their willingness to change (finally), and the chance to become a hero all attractive qualities, it might give some a bit more confidence in committing to Toronto, and that's huge news for the coming years.
| POLL | ||
MAI 31 | 566 ANSWERS Bad News Emerges for Maple Leafs After Elliotte Friedman's Report on Jonathan Marchessault Would you want Toronto to try and convince Jonathan Marchessault to come play for them next season? | ||
| Yes | 285 | 50.4 % |
| No | 281 | 49.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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