5 Potential Trade Partners if the Maple Leafs Trade Mitch Marner
Grant White
Host · Writer
Montreal Canadiens
These are words that Toronto Maple Leafs fans would never want to read. Mitch Marner could be a Montreal Canadien.
The Habs have an ungodly amount of draft capital to dangle in front of the Leafs. They have two first-round picks in each of the next two NHL Drafts, including seven picks in Rounds 1 through 3 in 2025. Combined with one of their top forwards and a prospect, Montreal has everything they need to make a deal happen.
Another factor worth considering is that the Canadiens have nearly $20 million in cap space in the LTIR pool, making this trade closer to reality. If the Maple Leafs can put aside their pettiness, this could be the best trade package on the table.
Pittsburgh Penguins
It will take a special offer to pry Mitch Marner away from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there are no lengths Kyle Dubas won't go to reunite with his former star asset.
Dubas drafted Marner fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, and the two-time All-Star has excelled in eight seasons with the Leafs. The two-time All-Star has a knack for bringing out the best in players, filling the quintessential playmaker role. Coincidentally, that's a position of dire need for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have failed to extract maximum value from their most recent acquisitions.
Short on draft capital, the Pens would need to get creative to make a deal work. However, with growing discontent from Sidney Crosby, who has previously expressed interest in playing in Toronto, this trade could be a match made in heaven for both clubs.
New York Rangers
Another Metropolitan Division squad could be in the mix for Marner this offseason. The New York Rangers are trying to re-tool their roster for the upcoming campaign, and they possess the assets to lure the Maple Leafs into a deal.
With Jacob Trouba reportedly on his way out of the Big Apple and a backlog of underperforming forwards looking for a fresh start, Toronto could be persuaded to make a move. The Maple Leafs continue to get bullied in the postseason, and Trouba would solidify a glaring need on the backend. Moreover, they have an excellent track record of helping players reach their full potential. Barclay Goodrow, Kaapo Kakko, or Alex Lafreniere could finally develop into the players many thought they would be.
Adding another elite playmaker would make the Rangers almost unstoppable. Consequently, the Maple Leafs may want to consider moving Mitch Marner outside the conference.
Utah Hockey Club
What better way to christen your new NHL franchise than with the marquee acquisition of the offseason? The Utah Hockey Club needs to pacify its burgeoning fanbase, and Mitch Marner offers the star appeal to get the Beehive State buzzing.
This franchise hasn't had a winning season since 2019-20, and they are one of the few clubs with the cap space to make a deal work. Further, the Utah Hockey Club has seven picks in the opening three rounds of the upcoming NHL Draft and some intriguing players in the trade pool.
For years, Auston Matthews was linked to this franchise in trade rumors. The ironic ending that everyone deserves is Mitch Marner ending up here instead.
Vancouver Canucks
We don't have to rub salt in the Vancouver Canucks fans' wounds. But we're going to. No team has underachieved more than the Nucks recently. Making the playoffs just twice since 2015-16, Vancouver has failed to meet expectations with its plethora of skilled players, and Mitch Marner could be the catalyst they need to get over the hump.
There's a natural marriage to be had between the Canucks and Maple Leafs. Toronto is actively shopping Marner, while the Canucks could be tempted to move on from Elias Pettersson, who is the poster boy for underachieving in Vancouver.
The parallels are unmatched, and both players could flourish in new settings.
Montreal Canadiens
These are words that Toronto Maple Leafs fans would never want to read. Mitch Marner could be a Montreal Canadien.
The Habs have an ungodly amount of draft capital to dangle in front of the Leafs. They have two first-round picks in each of the next two NHL Drafts, including seven picks in Rounds 1 through 3 in 2025. Combined with one of their top forwards and a prospect, Montreal has everything they need to make a deal happen.
Another factor worth considering is that the Canadiens have nearly $20 million in cap space in the LTIR pool, making this trade closer to reality. If the Maple Leafs can put aside their pettiness, this could be the best trade package on the table.
Pittsburgh Penguins
It will take a special offer to pry Mitch Marner away from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there are no lengths Kyle Dubas won't go to reunite with his former star asset.
Dubas drafted Marner fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, and the two-time All-Star has excelled in eight seasons with the Leafs. The two-time All-Star has a knack for bringing out the best in players, filling the quintessential playmaker role. Coincidentally, that's a position of dire need for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have failed to extract maximum value from their most recent acquisitions.
Short on draft capital, the Pens would need to get creative to make a deal work. However, with growing discontent from Sidney Crosby, who has previously expressed interest in playing in Toronto, this trade could be a match made in heaven for both clubs.
