Maple Leafs Urged to Replace Mitch Marner with Multiple 'Dogs'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 8:56 AM ET

With Mitch Marner expected to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason, former NHL defenseman Frankie Corrado believes the Maple Leafs must avoid falling for the most obvious approach in replacing him.

That'd be trying to move on from Marner while attempting to sign a one-for-one replacement, which Condaro is not sure is available out there.

Corrado appeared on TSN on Monday and spoke to Jay Onrait about the potential approach Toronto should take, emphasizing that trying to replace Marner’s 100-point production with a single player would be a mistake.

“You're not going to say you're changing the DNA, and then just get a worse version of Mitch Marner for a lot of money," Corrado said. "Spread the money out differently, bring in different pieces, and see if you can get an outcome that is more favorable to you in the moments that you really need it."

What does 'changing the DNA' look like for the Leafs? @FrankCorrado22 has more: https://t.co/JSUZRoORFL pic.twitter.com/pvRwzD94zD
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Corrado said a reshaped team identity could be built by investing in reliable, high-effort players who bring grit and depth.

He named the Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand, Washington Capitals' Andrew Mangiapane, and Los Angeles Kings' Tanner Jeannot as three players Toronto should try to sign within Marner's vacated $10.9 million salary, as well as any other cap room the Leafs can manufacture.

“Brad Marchand showed he can have a better influence in those big outcomes," Corrado said. "Then you look at certain guys that might just be workers, guys that just work like dogs, and Andrew Mangiapane is one.

"And then, can you find (money) for a guy like Tanner Jeannot? And that's your money allocated to three guys. That’s the way you have to change the DNA with guys that work like dogs.”

Marchand joined the Panthers in a mid-season trade from the Boston Bruins and finished the regular season with 51 points in 71 games, adding 20 points in 23 postseason outings.

Mangiapane scored 28 points in 81 regular-season games and two points in 10 postseason games. Jeannot, meanwhile, notched 13 points in 67 games through the regular season.

Jeannot hit a career-high 24 goals in 2022 but has failed to replicate that production of late, scoring just 13 points in 67 regular-season games last year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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