*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.
*******
The ink is barely dry on the signature of Craig Berube’s contract to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs and already the offseason trade rumors have begun. Maybe it was because Nashville and Tampa Bay jumped the gun on Tuesday, making a deal to send defenseman Ryan McDonagh back to the Lightning, but it is likely going to take a few weeks for GM Brad Treliving to suss out what options he has this summer.
The chatter regarding Mitch Marner gained some notice on Tuesday when a Predators reporter asked GM Barry Trotz if there had been any trade discussions with the Leafs.
“They have to talk to me, I haven’t talked to them” Trotz said.
I asked Barry Trotz if he’d be interested in acquiring Mitch Marner, with now some $25 million in cap room.
The connection regarding the Leafs and Nashville began with a report in the Fourth Period last week speculating on the fit of Marner with the offensively starved Preds and Toronto’s need for a goaltender to partner with Joseph Woll. Does the fit make sense? Sure. Does that mean it will happen? No.
Treliving first has to determine if any of the core group he is interested in moving are interested in waiving their no-movement clauses. Tavares indicated to the Athletic’s Chris Johnston that he will not do so, and based on the Leafs lack of depth on defense, it would be fairly stupid for them to ask Morgan Rielly to waive, so that puts all eyes on Marner.
Whether he will be open to going someplace else will likely be determined in the weeks leading up to the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, but all the control on that decision is in the hands of Darren Ferris and Marner.
One interesting note from Johnston from his podcast, he believes it is highly likely that the Leafs will bring back Max Domi on a new deal. The 29-year-old finished with 47 points (9 goals, 38 assists) in 80 games, but late in the season developed some chemistry with Auston Matthews. If Toronto does follow through on a Marner deal, re-signing Domi to be the playmaker/set-up man for Matthews would be necessary.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»