$65,418,000 Mitch Marner's trade from Toronto Maple Leafs "becomes even harder now," opines Aaron Korolnek

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Jul 13, 2024 10:42 GMT

First Up host Aaron Korolnek highlighted the challenges surrounding Mitch Marner's potential trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Korolnek emphasized the timing of the trade season, noting that delays in player signings leave teams scrambling for options. The complexity of Marner's situation is magnified by his no-trade clause, giving him control over his destination.

Marner is in the final year of a six-year, $65 million contract signed with the Leafs in 2019.

Korolnek pointed out that this major hurdle, coupled with the necessity for cap space and desirable assets on the receiving end, further complicates any potential trade scenarios in Marner's case for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On TSN's First Up 1050 radio, Aaron Korolnek said:

"Coming up here soon because that's what happens at this time of year. It's like, okay, well, if you weren't part of the rush of everybody being signed, you're left scrambling for what's left over, so anybody that believes that a trade, a big three that the Maple Leafs could potentially make, becomes even harder now.

"The number one reason why this trade was always going to be hard was because a guy like Mitch Marner has a no-trade clause. A guy on the Maple Leafs that people want to see traded controls their own destinies because they have no moves, no trades. So that's the number one obstacle," he continued.

Karolnek added:

"The number two obstacle is any team that the player would potentially want to go to; they've got to have the cap space, and they got to have the assets that the Maple Leafs would be looking for, so how much harder has that become now?"

In the aftermath of the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins, the spotlight has intensified on Mitch Marner, who has found himself at the center of swirling trade rumors.

With Toronto's front office expressing its willingness to consider all options this offseason, speculation has been rife about potential moves involving the 27-year-old forward. Despite the assurance of change from the team's management, the anticipated trade involving Marner is yet to materialize.

Marner will become a UFA at the end of the 2024–25 season.

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Mitch Marner wants to continue his career with the Maple Leafs

Following another early playoff exit with the Maple Leafs, Marner expressed his attachment to Toronto and desire to secure a long-term future with the team.

"That would be a goal," Marner said (via NHL.com). "I've expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I've grown up here. We'll start thinking about that now and try to figure something out."

Mitch Marner was drafted No. 5 by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015. He has been with them for the past eight years, appearing in 576 games.