Brad Treliving and the Leafs' Backup Plan If Mitch Marner Walks Has Been Revealed

The Toronto Maple Leafs have still gone without a contract extension for Marner, with the star forward awaiting a new contract surely to come close, but under the $13.25M annually given to fellow superstar forward Auston Matthews.

With Marner still unsigned, both sides have indicated from media reports that talks are ongoing although a resolution on if Marner re-signs in Toronto may be something that takes until he hits free agency, with many teams certain to be offering top dollar.

With what should be a major bidding war for his services, the hometown Marner will not be certain to be back in Toronto with nearly the rest of the NHL having their eyes on making him a key piece of their offense.

Nick Kypreos reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs may have to wait to re-sign other free-agents in Matthew Knies & John Tavares to deal with Marner first.

If the Leafs do not re-sign Marner, multiple options appear poised to attempt filling the hole left by his departure.

After Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers may be the most valuable free-agent forward.

Ehlers, 29, has 24 goals and 61 points in 63 games for the Winnipeg Jets this season.

It'll be a tough ask prying Ehlers away from Winnipeg, who lead the Western Conference in points. Of course, with Mitch Marner off the books, Toronto would have a good bit of salary to give Ehlers, likely over $10M.

Bennett, an Ontario-born player, is a consistent goalscoring center with a solid 200-ft game.

What will be an interesting question is how such a move would be received in Toronto. It was Bennett who knocked Matthew Knies out in the playoffs during the Leafs/Panthers series in 2023.

Knies did not return to the series which was won by Florida, something that may still hold some animosity from remaining players over the incident. Regardless, he's a talented player with top-six ability.

Brock Boeser was heavily linked with an exit from a dysfunctional Vancouver, yet has persisted with the Canucks.

Boeser could still test free agency, with what will surely be a high amount of suitors for a top-six C/W who is a consistent 20-goal scorer.

Toronto has valued versatile players such as Boeser, and he could be a player the team targets to fill the hole of Marner at RW.

At a time, Aaron Ekblad looked like he was going to command a decent salary in free agency as a top defenseman in a lighter class, but a recent suspension for PED's this season may have been a damper on his potential payday.

Ekblad will likely still net a hefty extension, but he may not get as much as he would've hoped from teams after the suspension, but the former 1st overall pick fills a need for impact in the Leafs defensive rotation, and at a potential reduced cost.