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NHL insider reveals what it will cost Bruins GM Don Sweeney to sign Mitch Marner this offseason

Originally posted on Bruins After Dark | By Jake Donovan | Last updated May 22, 2025 11:54 AM ET

Once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell short. A Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers ended their playoff run—and immediately reignited questions about the future of Mitch Marner.

Now, all eyes are on Boston.

The Bruins, who’ve made it clear they’re looking to bolster scoring beyond their top line, are being connected to the Leafs winger.

It’s not just rumor mill smoke, NHL insider Frank Seravalli has laid out exactly what it would cost to make a deal happen.

Insider Frank Seravalli reveals Bruins’ price tag for Marner pursuit

According to Seravalli’s latest free agent board on Daily Faceoff, teams interested in acquiring Marner—Boston included—should be prepared to pay up. The cost?

An eye-popping $13 million per year.

It’s going to be expensive, but if Marner’s truly in play, Boston’s one of the teams that fits from a roster and cap perspective,

Seravalli wrote.

While Marner isn’t a free agent, the Leafs are reportedly open to exploring trade options.

Boston, flush with expiring contracts and growing urgency, might be the right match.

Sweeney has been vocal about offensive upgrades

This isn’t new.

Bruins GM Don Sweeney has been upfront all spring: the team needs more scoring, especially from the middle six. That’s not a secret internally or externally.

We’ve got to look at options to support our group offensively. There’s no question that’s an area we’re focused on,

Sweeney said earlier this offseason.

Marner’s playmaking would instantly reshape Boston’s attack. He recorded 85 points in 79 games this year and still managed to be a two-way presence despite the weight of expectations in Toronto.

Marner’s post-playoff comments add to the intrigue

After the Leafs’ elimination, Marner didn’t reveal much about what’s next—but what he didn’t say may have been just as telling.

I love it here, and I’ve always wanted to win here. That hasn’t changed,

he said.

But with reports suggesting the Leafs explored moving him at the trade deadline, the dynamic between player and team seems far from settled. The vibe in Toronto feels different this time, and many believe the front office is ready to shake things up.

Bruins hold flexibility to strike if Toronto makes a move

Cap space has often been Boston’s biggest obstacle in big swings like this—but that might be changing.

With contracts expiring and long-term money clearing up, Don Sweeney has room to operate if the opportunity arises.

The question is whether he’ll take that swing.

At $13 million a year, there’s risk. But for a team craving a dynamic creator to help push the core over the top, Marner represents something Boston hasn’t had in a while—a true, elite playmaker still in his prime.

And if Toronto’s finally ready to let go, the Bruins could be one of the few teams with both motive and means.

This article first appeared on Bruins after dark and was syndicated with permission.

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