Mitch Marner's Fate With the Maple Leafs Reportedly Decided After Latest Pierre LeBrun Update
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
With it all but a forgone conclusion that Mitch Marner is leaving the Maple Leafs, we got a bit more confirmation of that news thanks to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun.
After all of the news coming out of the entire Mitch Marner saga; from the repeated harassment towards the forward from fans, his decision to decline both an extension and a trade, and yet another playoff failure, it seems all but assured he's gone come summer.
Mitch Marner Set To Be Top Free Agent Per Pierre LeBrun
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun though, there's almost no chance of Toronto having a prayer of re-signing him, and he'll be that top free agent come July 1:
In my opinion, it is more likely Mitch Marner tests the market than re-signs in Toronto; not completely for certain but very, very likely.
It's not really a shocker to see Marner test free agency, and who could really blame him after all the chatter and constant scrutiny.
He's going to be paid absurd amounts of money, and Toronto really can't afford to keep him unless they decide to throw all caution to the wind and forget about a guy like Connor McDavid in 2026.
Is that worth it though? Spinning their wheels with the same team forever hasn't been conducive to success, so a change might be needed.
But it's not out of the picture completely, though he's basically two feet out the door and hailing a taxi.
Toronto did just say they weren't renewing Brendan Shanahan's deal, so could that be enough for Marner to stick through a new vision that involves him?
He already went through a decade of misery with the team, and that first vision solely had him pegged as one of the franchise heroes, so it's hard to know exactly what could persuade him to stay if not being a focal point.
Maple Leafs fans are going to have to swallow that most bitter pill and by having their Core Four disbanded may feel like hopes have just been dashed, but there are still some positives to take out of it.
Toronto Can Play Safe For A McDavid-Sized Jackpot In 2026
Much like NHL Insider Chris Johnston spoke about in his podcast, the Maple Leafs are in a great position for free agency...next summer:
You can't replace him. But what you do I think, as the organization, you make some short-term decisions.
Like to me, the best bets would be don't tie up that money immediately into something long-term and be well positioned; we are entering what could be the most interesting era of player transfers over the next year, or two, or three.
Like to me, the best bets would be don't tie up that money immediately into something long-term and be well positioned; we are entering what could be the most interesting era of player transfers over the next year, or two, or three.
You know who that means right?
We've heard rumblings of McDavid in a Maple Leafs jersey for years, and while the rumors certainly swirled, it felt like a pipe dream than any sort of reality.
But with a growing cap, coupled with an influx of cap without Marner they are positioned nicely for 2026.
They are going to be without the contracts of Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, Anthony Stolarz, and Ryan Reaves. While it's not a ton of money, that does help.
Puckpedia currently projects the Maple Leafs to have roughly $43.5M in cap space, which is a startling amount given how tight the cap has been in recent years.
We also might see players like Morgan Rielly, Max Domi, and even potentially David Kampf traded this summer, and that also opens up some cap space still even if they take on a player or two.
So if the team can play it slow this season, with enough star power to carry them through to a playoff spot, they can come into the 2026 Free Agency class with a huge wave of confidence.
They'll have the money, they'll have the prestige.
Hopefully, they'll have the world's greatest player at the end of it too.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 676 ANSWERS Mitch Marner's Fate With the Maple Leafs Reportedly Decided After Latest Pierre LeBrun Update Which team is Mitch Marner going to sign with? | ||
| Chicago | 310 | 45.9 % |
| Detroit | 87 | 12.9 % |
| Utah | 142 | 21 % |
| Florida | 137 | 20.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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