Two Forwards the Leafs Must Go After Following Mitch Marner's Exit

Toronto is being patient as they search for a replacement to Mitch Marner who can replicate the now-former Leafs forward on offense.

The Leafs have had a quiet start to free agency, having prior to July 1st re-signed John Tavares and Matthew Knies to contract extensions, and finalized a sign-and-trade to send Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy, as well as a trade for Utah's Matias Maccelli.

Toronto may put Maccelli in the top-six, but GM Brad Treliving has indicated that the search for a bona-fide top forward is still something the team is looking at, and there may be two options,

One option is a player the Leafs kicked tires on in the past, and the other is a former Toronto Maple Leaf with longstanding experience with the club.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were strongly involved in discussions at the NHL Trade deadline for Brayden Schenn, who ultimately stayed put in St. Louis and wasn't moved out despite being a popular trade target.

Toronto ultimately went with Scott Laughton, but with a disappointing four points in 20 games as a Leafs, and just two points in 13 playoff games.

The Blues kept Schenn in hopes they could reverse their fortunes around, which St. Louis did in becoming a playoff team after a surprise run late in the season.

Schenn has history with head coach Craig Berube having been coached by him while in St. Louis, a member of the 2019 Stanley Cup winning Blues team.

The Leafs could still look to add Schenn and make a trade to acquire him, adding the top-six forward they lost out on in the past, and finally this time get.

Another potential move Toronto may make is a surprise move for a former Leaf in Nazem Kadri, reuniting him in Toronto after leaving via trade in 2019.

Kadri is a player confirmed that Toronto is looking at acquiring, with the former Leafs first round pick in 2009 reportedly a trade target who could move from the Calgary Flames soon.

After respectable top-six play throughout his career, Kadri blossomed in his final year with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, finished off by a Stanley Cup title. In three seasons with Calgary since, Kadri has enjoyed a second wind of his career into a key offensive forward with the Flames.

Kadri, a boyhood Leafs fans, could be a great return story for Toronto in bringing back a former top player who could easily slot in the top-six and be a consistent offensive weapon.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the chance to add to their top-six with a strong Marner replacement who not only is a positive contributor, but has the passion to be a Toronto Maple Leaf, something fans are craving to have.

The Leafs have had solid trade moves so far in Maccelli and Roy but more is needed to ensure Toronto has a competitive roster that is able to replace the Mitch Marner shaped hole in their lineup.