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Brad Marchand could end up with the Toronto Maple Leafs: here's how

Originally posted on Hockey Unplugged | By Axel Williams | Last updated Oct 18, 2024 6:46 PM ET

Mitch Marner is an unrestricted free agent this summer and while the team wants to sign him, they may already have a backup plan in place, with Brad Marchand at the forefront.

Marner is a player who has been sensational with the Leafs, at least in the regular season. His playoff performances have left a lot to be desired and some fans are not too happy with that. However, the Leafs and Marner reportedly have mutual interest to stay together in the long-term.

Having said that, Marner is expensive and there is a world in which Marner does not re-sign in Toronto. If that happens, the Leafs need to figure something out. As Nick Kypreos writes, there is a world in which they go after some pretty big names that could certainly come as a surprise to Leafs fans.

'Tampa Bay's backup plan all along was to replace the money for Stamkos with free-agent Jake Guentzel's new contract. A similar scenario could play out for Toronto with pending free agents such as Mikko Rantanen, Sam Bennett or Brad Marchand, providing they are still available on July 1.'
Marchand is the name that sticks out like a sore thumb here. It is hard to believe he would ever want to be a Maple Leafs player. That said, it is one of those scenarios that one could only have dreams or maybe even nightmares about. Stranger things have certainly happened in the NHL.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
NHL Insider Believes the Maple Leafs May Already Have a Contingency Plan if Mitch Marner Walks

This article first appeared on Hockey Unplugged and was syndicated with permission.

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