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Over the next few weeks, there will be a great deal of speculation regarding the potential trade of winger Mitch Marner, since Toronto Maple Leafs Team President Brendan Shanahan and GM Brad Treliving indicated earlier this month that something has to change after another early exit. The change began with the dismissal of Sheldon Keefe and the hiring of Craig Berube, but many agree that for the Leafs to potentially improve, that a shakeup of the core group is a necessity.
While many teams might be interested in the 27-year-old All-Star, a nearly $11 million cap hit, a no-movement clause and one year remaining on Marner’s contract will be hurdles that Treliving will have to clear to make a trade beneficial to the Leafs. Assuming that he will waive his NMC, Marner’s camp will likely provide a list of teams that he would be open to going to and those clubs will undoubtedly want to get him signed to a lengthy extension if they are giving up significant assets for him.
We will take a look at teams that have either the cap space or assets to make a Marner deal and who the Leafs could expect to get in a potential trade:
Vegas
Nothing is impossible when it comes to the Vegas Golden Knights. They surprised everyone when they got Mark Stone out of Ottawa, Jack Eichel from Buffalo, Noah Hanifin from Calgary, and at the deadline Tomas Hertl from San Jose. The issue is not can GM Kelly McCrimmon pull off a deal like acquiring Marner from Toronto, the issue is will they and what pieces would they have to move to get him.
The Golden Knights have less than $1 million in cap space entering the summer, which means any deal would have to be a hockey trade and money out for money in.
Possible Trade Targets:
Shea Theodore – With the acquisition and extension of Hanifin, Theodore may be the odd man out with one year left on his contract at $5.2 million. A deal for Theodore would mean Toronto wanting to extend the blueliner who has posted five straight 40+ point seasons, just as the club trading for Marner would want him on a new deal.
Ivan Barbashev – The bruising 28-year-old winger played five seasons for Craig Berube in St. Louis before being dealt to the Golden Knights and plays the aggressive style of hockey the new Leafs coach wants in Toronto.
Logan Thompson – A possible tandem option with Joseph Woll, makes less than the league minimum next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Draft picks – Vegas is in a similar state as the Leafs are with picks. Deals to improve their chances have weened their draft capital. They have their 2024 first-rounder, but their next pick is in the sixth and they have two seventh-rounders. They are also without their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks.
Prospects – Brendan Brisson (2020 1st round pick) scored 19 goals in 52 games for Henderson (AHL), Matyas Sapoaliv (2022 2nd round pick) Memorial Cup winning center with size (6’4…) who scored 62 points in 54 games with Saginaw
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