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Paul Bissonnette Shares His Offseason Blueprint to Fix Maple Leafs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 28, 2025 7:37 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical offseason with the future of Mitch Marner being one of the biggest questions heading into free agency, but not the only one.

Marner will complete his six-year, $65.41 million contract ahead of July 1, when he is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and has yet to decide whether he’ll return.

One prominent NHL voice has made his stance clear on what the Leafs should do this offseason, including how to handle Marner and fellow pending free agents John Tavares and Matthew Knies.

Former NHL player and current analyst Paul Bissonnette took to social media to call for Toronto to keep Marner and the Core Four intact.

"Offer Marner (eight years at $12 million per year) and let's run it back. He owes Leafs Nation a 'discount'," Bissonnete wrote on X. "Knies 8x8.5m max. If he wants (to sign) an offer sheet (elsewhere), tell him to (expletive) off. John Tavares 3x3m."

Bissonnette followed up with another message reinforcing his position and asking the Leafs to hand him the reins of the organization.

"I'm a ride or die guy, but if you think it's time to move on just shoot me straight. I think I can get Mitch to come back," Bissonnette wrote. "Maybe even at $11 million. Let's run this (expletive) back.

"Took Ovi 13 years to figure it out. We got this. Core 4 ain't done yet."

Marner, for his part, remains undecided on his future and didn't commit to returning to Toronto during his final media availability.

"I've always loved my time here. I've loved being here," Marner said. "Like I said to you guys the other night, I have been so grateful and, you know, haven't processed anything yet. It's still so fresh and losing sucks.

"In the next couple of weeks, I'll sit down with my wife and we'll start talking. Trying to figure out what's next."

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

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