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Maple Leafs actively engaged in Mitch Marner trade talks behind the scenes: Reports
The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively looking to trade Mitch Marner, as per Insider Frank Seravalli. Seravalli said on a recent appearance on the "DFO Rundown" podcast that the Maple Leafs are doing everything they can to move Mitch Marner.
During the show, Seravalli said:
“Make no mistake at this exact moment in time this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs are talking to teams about Mitch Marner and what that might look like.”
The comments underscore that the trade rumors surrounding Mitch Marner are credible. While both sides have attempted to debunk such rumors, Seravalli believes there’s reason to believe Toronto is looking to move the star winger.
Seravalli added:
“...And I want to be ultra clear about it, that’s what the discussion is right now behind the scenes. They are talking to teams and trying to, 'What are you interested in, what can we do?'”
He concluded:
“I believe they are trying to do everything in their power to make a move.”
With the NHL draft coming up this weekend, it’s plausible that the Maple Leafs want to get a deal done before then. Otherwise, the Leafs may have no choice but to allow Mitch Marner to play out the final year of his contract.
Ultimately, the Leafs will hope to find a team interested in meeting their asking price for Marner while convincing him to waive his no-move clause and make a deal happen. Given these circumstances, a deal seems difficult to complete for now.
Leafs facing challenges in trading Mitch Marner
The Hockey News' Evan Doerfler reported the challenges the Maple Leafs are facing in working out a trade for Mitch Marner. The article cited reports from The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle, that the Leafs have encountered certain issues in the process:
“One, in particular, seems to be a lack of teams that a) Marner would conceivably accept a trade to that can b) accommodate his $10.9 million cap hit for next season and c) are willing to send back piece(s) the Leafs would find attractive, which would ideally include an impact defenceman.”
The difficulty seemingly comes with trading a star player like Marner. But there’s another hurdle to overcome, as Siegel and Mirtle pointed out. Specifically, Marner's camp wants to have a contract extension in place before consenting to a trade.
In other words, part of the negotiation must include a contract extension with the other side in order for Marner to waive his no-move clause.
As it stands, achieving that feat seems like a tall order. Perhaps Toronto can make a deal work. However, the club faces the prospect of getting an underwhelming return. It’s worth pointing out that the Leafs don’t have to trade Marner. As GM Brad Treliving has said before, the club would rather extend him if possible. Thus, a trade could be nothing more than mere speculation in the end.
Will Mitch Marner stay in Toronto or find a new home in the league?
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