Reasons for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and Star Forward Mitch Marner to Remain United and Reasons to Dissolve Their Relationship

Mitch Marner is an elite level NHL player. He has one year remaining on his current contract that has a no movement clause. Toronto can choose to resign him to a long-term deal as early as this summer. Or, they could decide to move in another direction and move on from Mitch.

If they are looking to move on from Mitch Marner, he cannot be traded without his permission. If the Toronto Maple Leafs do want to move Mitch Marner as a means to shift money in different personnel directions, they will require Mitch’s consent. With his consent, his value should be high and the return lucrative.

Otherwise, the Leafs can let Mitch play out his contract and he will leave for nothing. But, the Leafs gain flexibility with the team Cap.

Let’s take a closer look.

REASONS TO STAY

Mitch Marner’s Reasons To Stay

Mitch is a Toronto boy playing in front of family and friends. He is at home and probably living out a childhood dream. The Toronto Maple Leafs is a storied hockey franchise, arguably the most prestigious of all organizations. Mitch is a popular Maple Leaf, although he unfortunately and perhaps unfairly is being singled out as a reason for their recent playoff disappointment.

He has chemistry with his teammates both on and off the ice. His on-ice offensive skills are elite, in the 90 to 100 points per season range. Creative puck distributor with a real knack of setting up his partners. He can also score.

Mitch is also a very good defensive hockey player. As well as being on the primary power play unit, he finds himself similarly on the number one penalty killing unit. A player you would want on the ice in the last minute of the hockey game. Not easy to find.

And due to all of the above, Mitch should be able to secure lucrative endorsements in Toronto that may not be available in other cities.

So, why choose to leave?

Toronto Maple Leaf’s Reasons To Keep Marner

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had much success in the regular season. They have made the playoffs in 8 straight seasons, the longest streak in the NHL. Mitch Marner has been a large factor to this success (as outlined above). In a very competitive league, featuring a Cap system resulting in competitive balance, making the playoffs is a large feat in itself. This cannot be understated.

What is a serious contender for the Stanley Cup? Usually folks will look at teams who have had repeated success in the playoffs, probably demonstrating a team ready to make that final step.

An argument can be made that very good teams, and yes Stanley Cup Contenders, can be beaten very early by another very good team. This year the Toronto Maple Leafs were one goal away from moving past Boston. Yes, then to play Florida. Florida may win the Cup. Florida knocked out Toronto in the second round last year, just after Toronto defeated a very good Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1st round.

Luck does have a say in a sport like hockey. All teams play very hard. Some will say good teams find a way to win – however it is often after a fortunate set of circumstances. If the bounce goes against you, suddenly you are much lesser of a team than one goal earlier. Playing in a strong division is not the best route to playoff success.

So, make it to the playoffs and you have a chance. But, you have to make the playoffs.

Also, the Core 4 will become the Core 3 after next season. John Tavares’ contract expires at the end of next season. The Cap is also beginning to move in an upward direction. Does 3 big contracts in the forward position diminish the teams ability to construct a Cup Contender?

The Leafs will be able to ice a team next season with some good young players with inexpensive contracts. This will make it possible to tinker with the current team with a view to the playoffs.

And is the labelling of Mitch Marner as a scapegoat for the playoff losses fair? Probably not. Can he translate his season success to the playoffs? Not so far, but it is possible.

Let’s not forget that Mitch Marner is a Homegrown talent. Drafted and developed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has developed into a high caliber talent and his skill set is hard to find.

The Leafs situation of having so much money locked into forwards does limit their ability to strengthen other parts of the team. Without question. Mitch Marner’s contract situation makes him the logical target to change this scenario. But are there other ways to enhance this team?

REASONS TO SEPARATE

Marner

Perhaps Mitch is ready for a change and would like to try plying his trade for a different organization. The team has not met expectations of fans, media and management. Probably himself as well. If this is the case, he may welcome the opportunity to move.

Even if he doesn’t want to move on, if the Leafs indicate a position of wanting to move on without him, or make an unacceptable contract offer, he may be wise to consent.

Playing a season without a future contract secured is risky. He could encounter a serious injury or have an off year specific to offensive production. Then his value would diminish significantly. Nylander did take the risk, and it richly paid off.

Mitch would also be able to determine his own destiny. And only with Toronto can he secure an 8 year, long-term contract. As a Free Agent next year, he will be limited to 7 years.

Why not try to secure a lucrative long-term contract while his value is high?

Leafs

The primary reason for the Toronto Maple Leafs to move on from Mitch Marner is due to their lack of success in the playoffs. Repetitive years of not getting past the first or second round. This Team wants to win the Stanley Cup now. The Leaf fans are calling for change.

Much sentiment from the media and fans is that the Leafs have too much money tied up on just 3 or 4 players. And they are all forwards. This hampers their ability to secure top end talent on the blue line and in net. Also handicaps their ability for competitive balance in the bottom 6 forwards.

With Auston Matthews and William Nylander all tied up contractually, Mitch becomes the obvious target. Will a Core 3 after next season if Mitch resigns with Toronto continue to hamper their ability in future years for real change if the lack of playoff success continues? Possibly.

The elephant in the room is the impression of some media and fans of Mitch’s performance in the playoffs. He has not met offensive expectations in the playoffs and seems to lack some physical aggression, playing more of a peripheral role. But, let’s remember that physical play is not Mitch’s forte.

If Toronto can trade Mitch, with his consent, Toronto could receive some valuable assets in return. This can be in the form of draft picks / prospects and or skilled developed talent, possibly on defense or in goal.

The key is securing Cap space to distribute skill throughout the lineup. To reshape and retool their version of a contending hockey team that can win a Stanley Cup.

One more Thought. If the Leafs free up this cash, could they pursue Connor McDavid in 2 years time? Would be back to forward Cap heavy, but wouldn’t it be FUN!

What would you Do?