Player Discussion Mitch Marner Part Infinity

[DarkKnight]

I see no scenario he returns. You can’t run it back and he’s up for a contract. Be nice if we can extract a sign and trade.

It is interesting to see Florida skating circles around Carolina, speaks to the level of play this series. We weren’t that far off really, doesn’t matter, but it’s context.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

Lets look at it this way and assume all players agree to the followings and the cap makes sense.

Would you rather sign Bennett, Marchand and Ekblad(Reilly is traded) after they win another Cup or lose in the Finals
or
Resign MM, JT and hold on to Reilly

Which ones would you choose

I really don't think anyone would say lets bring the band back bc Panthers are just too good.

I think if the Leafs swapped out MM, JT, and Rielly for Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad, they'd be heavy favorites to make it to the Cup Final. This is even if the Panthers sign someone like Boeser with their $19M or so capspace heading into next season.

Now here's a hot take....I'd rather re-sign MM, JT, and keep Rielly and run it back knowing that the Panthers will lose 2 or all 3 of these 3 free agents. The Leafs took the Panthers to 7, and I don't see the Panthers beating the Leafs again if they're missing these core players.

Signing Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad will help you in Year 1 but have significant diminishing returns. Ekblad is going to be 30 and is a complete force, but his physical age is probably closer to 36 or 37 given his mileage, previous injuries, and PED use (to cover up chronic injuries?). Marchand is literally going to be 38. Bennett would be a solid addition, but not at $10M X 7.

I'd actually rather take Marner on $13.5M X 8; Tavares on $5M x 3; and Rielly as with a $3.5M AAV buyout if needed because it's less a hell lot less long-term risk than signing those Panthers to long-term deals.

 

[Trapper]

Stankoven and Aho are smaller but compete like Tom Wilson compared to Marner.

Funny I think it was Hayes who said, if you go back and watch all the end of season pressers, you will not see one scratch on any one of the core. It is laughable.

Marner’s hair wasn’t even wet. It looks like he just had it staked between periods.

 

[ToneDog]

I think if the Leafs swapped out MM, JT, and Rielly for Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad, they'd be heavy favorites to make it to the Cup Final. This is even if the Panthers sign someone like Boeser with their $19M or so capspace heading into next season.

Now here's a hot take....I'd rather re-sign MM, JT, and keep Rielly and run it back knowing that the Panthers will lose 2 or all 3 of these 3 free agents. The Leafs took the Panthers to 7, and I don't see the Panthers beating the Leafs again if they're missing these core players.

Signing Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad will help you in Year 1 but have significant diminishing returns. Ekblad is going to be 30 and is a complete force, but his physical age is probably closer to 36 or 37 given his mileage, previous injuries, and PED use (to cover up chronic injuries?). Marchand is literally going to be 38. Bennett would be a solid addition, but not at $10M X 7.

I'd actually rather take Marner on $13.5 X 8; Tavares on $5M x 3; and Rielly as with a $3.5M AAV buyout if needed because it's less a hell lot less long-term risk than signing those Panthers to long-term deals.

Many thought the Panthers would take a step back after losing Montour, OEL and more but they filled the holes. Waiting for your opposition to regress is grasping at straws.

 

[IPS]

Yeah we weren't that far off when we lost to Montreal who went to cup finals in 2021. Weren't that far off when we lost to cup champs Tampa bay in 2022. Weren't that far off when we lost to Florida in 2023 who went to cup finals, and we certainly weren't far off this time!

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

We all know ekblad and Bennett are resigning for sweetheart contracts

 

[JT AM da real deal]

We are not gonna match da 14-15M per Utah gonna give him .. Mitch will have an easier time in western conference .. Atlantic division hockey is really tough hard nosed game .. good luck to Mitch out there .. we need da CAP space to retool

 

[thewave]

Here are facts are being reported,

Treliving WAS willing to deal Marner for Rantanen even with a NMC to approach,

Treliving WASN'T willing to deal Matty Knies in a deal for Rantanen.

Treliving WAS willing to trade prospects (Minten, Cowan) and picks 1st's for Rantanen, but Carolina liked the Dallas deal better.

Makes a pretty strong statement as to whom GM Treliving prefers MORE.

Well yeah, Knies is going to be playoff beast. untouchable.

 

[thewave]

We are not gonna match da 14-15M per Utah gonna give him .. Mitch will have an easier time in western conference .. Atlantic division hockey is really tough hard nosed game .. good luck to Mitch out there .. we need da CAP space to retool

I'll be shocked if I see that number for Mitch.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

We are not gonna match da 14-15M per Utah gonna give him .. Mitch will have an easier time in western conference .. Atlantic division hockey is really tough hard nosed game .. good luck to Mitch out there .. we need da CAP space to retool

Sign and trade to get the AAV down for McBain's rights + 3rd

 

[Gabriel426]

I think if the Leafs swapped out MM, JT, and Rielly for Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad, they'd be heavy favorites to make it to the Cup Final. This is even if the Panthers sign someone like Boeser with their $19M or so capspace heading into next season.

Now here's a hot take....I'd rather re-sign MM, JT, and keep Rielly and run it back knowing that the Panthers will lose 2 or all 3 of these 3 free agents. The Leafs took the Panthers to 7, and I don't see the Panthers beating the Leafs again if they're missing these core players.

Signing Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad will help you in Year 1 but have significant diminishing returns. Ekblad is going to be 30 and is a complete force, but his physical age is probably closer to 36 or 37 given his mileage, previous injuries, and PED use (to cover up chronic injuries?). Marchand is literally going to be 38. Bennett would be a solid addition, but not at $10M X 7.

I'd actually rather take Marner on $13.5M X 8; Tavares on $5M x 3; and Rielly as with a $3.5M AAV buyout if needed because it's less a hell lot less long-term risk than signing those Panthers to long-term deals.

Then that’s most likely another 1st round exit if the band is back together.

I would rather have a REAL chance of winning a Cup in 1-3yrs than being a playoffs team for 5-7yrs.

 

[thewave]

Then that’s most likely another 1st round exit if the band is back together.

I would rather have a REAL chance of winning a Cup in 1-3yrs than being a playoffs team for 5-7yrs.

Marner screwed us by not waiving. Getting a NMC for that last year and then going 15.5m followed up by the royal screw job. That's all she wrote for Marner here. Fans should pretty much despise that stuff, it's low, real low.

Rantanen here would have pushed us by FLA easy.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

Then that’s most likely another 1st round exit if the band is back together.

I would rather have a REAL chance of winning a Cup in 1-3yrs than being a playoffs team for 5-7yrs.

Leafs sign Bennett ($10M x 7), Marchand ($3.5M x 2), and Ekblad ($10.5M x 7). Trade Rielly for prospects, let Tavares walk, and bridge Knies on $4.5M x 2.

Florida then signs Marner for $11M x 7, Duchene for $4.5M x 3, and Gavrikov for $6M x 6. Moves out Rodrigues for picks/prospects.

Who wins this h2h next season? My bet would be that Florida blows the Leafs out of the water next season with this swap and it gets progressively uglier in Years 2 and beyond for the Leafs from both a cap and on-ice performance perspective. So I don't think the grass is greener, personally.

 

[Gabriel426]

Marner screwed us by not waiving. Getting a NMC for that last year and then going 15.5m followed up by the royal screw job. That's all she wrote for Marner here. Fans should pretty much despise that stuff, it's low, real low.

Rantanen here would have pushed us by FLA easy.

It is a player’s right not to waive. So I don’t blame MM there.

Yes, Rantanen would had helped instead of MM.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

Marner screwed us by not waiving. Getting a NMC for that last year and then going 15.5m followed up by the royal screw job. That's all she wrote for Marner here. Fans should pretty much despise that stuff, it's low, real low.

Rantanen here would have pushed us by FLA easy.

I think the Leafs would be in Game 3 right now with Rantanen, tbh. Just a completely different player. Marner is the more complete player, but Rantanen is higher impact and intangibles - especially in the playoffs.

 

[Aashir]

I see no scenario he returns. You can’t run it back and he’s up for a contract. Be nice if we can extract a sign and trade.

It is interesting to see Florida skating circles around Carolina, speaks to the level of play this series. We weren’t that far off really, doesn’t matter, but it’s context.

would be nice if our clown of a previous GM got 8 years term on RFAs....like you normally do. He'd have a few years left and still be valuable

the second sentence really sucks, we were close but also we weren't. We lost games 5 and 7 so badly I can't say it with a straight face. You don't get humiliated that badly on home ice twice, it just doesn't happen.

If only the core 4 were good enough, if only the depth was good enough, if only the goaltending was good enough. Unfortunately it's always 'ifs' with this team

 

[Aashir]

Marner screwed us by not waiving. Getting a NMC for that last year and then going 15.5m followed up by the royal screw job. That's all she wrote for Marner here. Fans should pretty much despise that stuff, it's low, real low.

Rantanen here would have pushed us by FLA easy.

blame Dubas for giving him that NMC when marner level players don't get NMCs on their RFA deals

also blame Tre for not dealing him before the NMC kicked in leaving us in a situation where marner held all the cards.

 

[Gabriel426]

Leafs sign Bennett ($10M x 7), Marchand ($3.5M x 2), and Ekblad ($10.5M x 7). Trade Rielly for prospects, let Tavares walk, and bridge Knies on $4.5M x 2.

Florida then signs Marner for $11M x 7, Duchene for $4.5M x 3, and Gavrikov for $6M x 6. Moves out Rodrigues for picks/prospects.

Who wins this h2h next season? My bet would be that Florida blows the Leafs out of the water next season with this swap and it gets progressively uglier in Years 2 and beyond for the Leafs from both a cap and on-ice performance perspective. So I don't think the grass is greener, personally.

Why would Panthers sign MM? He is literally the opposite of their culture. Panthers sign players who fit their culture and not just great players.

While Leafs and yourself just want to sign great players and hope they succeed in playoffs.

Bennett, Ekblad and Marchand are not afraid of elimination games and actually have confidence while MM, JT and Reilly shrink when the moment gets bigger.

Definitely disagree with you as you are either trolling or just one of those MM fanboys who cheers for the name on the jersey instead of the logo in the front.

 

[BlueForever75]

Don't sign Marner. Resign Tavares on a sweetheart deal. Trade Reilly, Kampf, Robertson. Will have close to $30 million in cap space to build your team.

You definitely go full out to bring Bennett home. Would give you the best centers in the league with Matthews, Bennett, Tavares and Laughton. You can probably get him for $8-9 million per season.

You go and get Ekblad to replace Reilly. That would form a great pairing with OEL. They have experience together and would give you arguably one of best d cores in the league. Probably another $7-8 million per season.

This brings you to $13 million left over. You dont sign a Marchand. Not needed. Too old. Sign another forward to play top 6 minutes. Ehlers? Boeser?. What do they want in the range of $7-9 million. Do it. Spend remaining 4 million on 3rd/4th line types (Tanev, Lorentz, or others).

Knies can wait. No need to extend. Not this off season.

You have now replaced Marner and Reilly with Bennett, one of Ehlers or Boeser and Ekblad. Your lineup is deeper and more balanced.

Knies-Matthews-Elhers/Boeser
McMann-Bennett-Nylander
Jarnkrok-Tavares-Domi
Lorentz-Laughton-Tanev

OEL-Ekblad
McCabe-Tanev
Benoit-Carlo

 

[WilliamInLondon]

Why would Panthers sign MM? He is literally the opposite of their culture. Panthers sign players who fit their culture and not just great players.

While Leafs and yourself just want to sign great players and hope they succeed in playoffs.

Bennett, Ekblad and Marchand are not afraid of elimination games and actually have confidence while MM, JT and Reilly shrink when the moment gets bigger.

Definitely disagree with you as you are either trolling or just one of those MM fanboys who cheers for the name on the jersey instead of the logo in the front.

No, I'm not a Marner fanboy. My preference is not to sign Marner and get short-term 1-2 year deals on guys like Marchand, Duchene, and 5-6 year term deals for defensive defencemen like Gavikrov. Then see what's available in summer 2026 and continue to build while exploring options. I would only consider Marner at his asking price without a full NMC/NTC or at $12M (neither of which he will agree to).

I am strongly opposed to releasing $22M from Marner and Tavares only to splurge it long-term on players who will elicit buyer's remorse by Year 2 or 3. Bennett is good, but he's not $10M+ good as a 29 year old center, let alone as a 34 year old 5 years into the contract when the Leafs' competitive window will likely be over. Same with Ekblad who literally misses 25-30 games a season and would be looking for similar numbers and probably only play half of his contract before going on LITR.

From a pure asset management perspective, Marner at $13M would be substantially more valuable than signing Bennett or Ekblad to a 7 year deal at $10M-$11M.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

Don't sign Marner. Resign Tavares on a sweetheart deal. Trade Reilly, Kampf, Robertson. Will have close to $30 million in cap space to build your team.

You definitely go full out to bring Bennett home. Would give you the best centers in the league with Matthews, Bennett, Tavares and Laughton. You can probably get him for $8-9 million per season.

You go and get Ekblad to replace Reilly. That would form a great pairing with OEL. They have experience together and would give you arguably one of best d cores in the league. Probably another $7-8 million per season.

This brings you to $13 million left over. You dont sign a Marchand. Not needed. Too old. Sign another forward to play top 6 minutes. Ehlers? Boeser?. What do they want in the range of $7-9 million. Do it. Spend remaining 4 million on 3rd/4th line types (Tanev, Lorentz, or others).

Knies can wait. No need to extend. Not this off season.

I would happily sign Bennett and Ekblad if their combined value is $15M AAV x 7 with partial NTC/NMC.

I just don't see it though. I think their combined AAV will be closer to $22M AAV, and probably even $23M+ AAV to bring them over the line to sign in Toronto.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Mitch doesn't want to go to Canadian teams:

MSN

 

[BlueForever75]

No, I'm not a Marner fanboy. My preference is not to sign Marner and get short-term 1-2 year deals on guys like Marchand, Duchene, and 5-6 year term deals for defensive defencemen like Gavikrov. Then see what's available in summer 2026 and continue to build while exploring options. I would only consider Marner at his asking price without a full NMC/NTC or at $12M (neither of which he will agree to).

I am strongly opposed to releasing $22M from Marner and Tavares only to splurge it long-term on players who will elicit buyer's remorse by Year 2 or 3. Bennett is good, but he's not $10M+ good as a 29 year old center, let alone as a 34 year old 5 years into the contract when the Leafs' competitive window will likely be over. Same with Ekblad who literally misses 25-30 games a season and would be looking for similar numbers and probably only play half of his contract before going on LITR.

From a pure asset management perspective, Marner at $13M would be substantially more valuable than signing Bennett or Ekblad to a 7 year deal at $10M-$11M.

Disagree. Marner will sign for 13+ million and not less. With that contract you can easily get a player like Bennett8-9 million per season. Not to mention another player like Reilly needing to be gone. With eliminating him and Marner you can easily fit Bennett and Ekblad with money to spare.

Ekblad and Bennett shouldnt cost more then $17 million annually. Marner on a raise and Reilly will be around $21.5 million annually. Which would you rather have?

 

[Gabriel426]

I would happily sign Bennett and Ekblad if their combined value is $15M AAV x 7 with partial NTC/NMC.

I just don't see it though. I think their combined AAV will be closer to $22M AAV, and probably even $23M+ AAV to bring them over the line to sign in Toronto.

I don't think Ekblad and Bennett will be 22mil. They will be around 17-19mil.

 

[BlueForever75]

I would happily sign Bennett and Ekblad if their combined value is $15M AAV x 7 with partial NTC/NMC.

I just don't see it though. I think their combined AAV will be closer to $22M AAV, and probably even $23M+ AAV to bring them over the line to sign in Toronto.

Bennett will sign for 8-9 million per season
Ekblad will sign for 7-8 million per season

$15-17 million combined. Not a penny more based on comparable's over the past 24 months.

Just look at recent dmen and forwards to sign the past 2 years