Following a heartbreaking defeat to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs feel like they're in full panic mode. With the four big contracts on the books for Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Taveras, and Mitch Marner, something has to give. The team has no depth and will desperately need to make changes after the big four failed to get it done in the postseason once again.
With changes inevitably on the horizon, the focus for the Maple Leafs turns to the offseason. What will they do to reshape a roster that is still very much in a competitive window? For starters, there is a lot of desire for the team to move on from Mitch Marner from the fanbase.
Here is Steve Dangle on Marner and his reputation. Marner infamously went through a tumultuous process before inking his current deal with the Leafs back in 2019.
As clearly laid out above, Marner appears to be public enemy number one and the most likely player to be dealt by the team this offseason. With the Maple Leafs at the center of conversation, TSN Insider Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek kicked around an interesting idea, pertaining to the Chicago Blackhawks, on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
Marner has a No-Movement Clause for the last year of his contract coming up. Although he expresses wanting to stay with the Leafs, moving on might be the best thing for both sides.
However, moving onto Chicago is not going to help Marner or the Blackhawks long-term.
Let's break down the idea above.
Seth Jones' Departure Would Hurt Hawks
For starters, looking what Seth Jones means to the Blackhawks, losing him on the blue line would hurt the Blackhawks more than it would help them. Yes, he has a long-term contract at a high cap number, but Jones is routinely among the NHL's ice time leaders, point producer offensively, and a veteran presence. Why would the Blackhawks want to lose that with a young group on their blue line?
Jones was severely disrespected by Hawks fans. In fact, I said to stop the disrespect and Jones' game returned to par. Jones had 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in just 67 games. That said, 13 of Jones' 31 points came after March 1st, showing he was healthy late in the season and could still be the guy on offense and defense.
When thinking about contract for contract, why trade a stable, veteran defenseman for one guaranteed year of a forward? Yes, maybe Jones is getting tired of losing, as noted by Friedman on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. However, Chicago as a whole likely feels the same way given Davidson's end-of-season comments, and are the Leafs really going to be that much better in terms of winning when it counts?
Marner is NOT a Fit in Chicago...
When thinking about Luke Richardson's system, it's a hard-nosed, full-effort game that is needed night in and night out. When looking at a player like Mitch Marner, neither of those traits come to mind or show on film.
Marner is a great offensive generator, sure. He has posted 95, 97, and 85 points in the last three seasons. That said, he is largely a perimeter player, does not get to the slot, and isn't the greatest of defensive players. As noted by the clips from Toronto fans above, he doesn't try and that is something that wouldn't fly with the Blackhawks.
In addition, Kyle Davidson has made it known that he does not want to add long-term commitments to the salary cap right now. As it stands, only Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic will be under contract when Connor Bedard is due for a second NHL contract. That's the way Davidson wants to keep it, and Marner needing a new contract after the 2024-25 campaign doesn't fit that timeline.
In the End...
In the end, keep the Mitch Marner trade idea away from Chicago. Let another team get a player that doesn't want to try and only plays on the perimeter. The Blackhawks have more needs that Marner can fill, and keeping that cap space open while the new core of players grow into their own is far more important than a player who is the odd man out on his current team.
Kyle Davidson is going to work on improving this roster. There are a lot of other crazy ideas that will be kicked around, but Marner should not be one of those ideas.
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