NHL insider and reporter James Mirtle of The Athletic speculates that the Toronto Maple Leafs might trade Mitch Marner in a one-for-one deal for Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.
Marner, who is entering the final year of his six-year, $65.4 million deal with the Maple Leafs, is high on many trade bait boards this offseason. With Toronto’s recent playoff exit, Marner has become a focal point of trade rumors, and Mirtle believes that Tampa Bay could be a dark horse team to acquire him in exchange for Sergachev.
“Maybe something with the Lightning, who look like they could be movers and shakers here. It would be Sergachev,” Mirtle said on the JD Bunkis show on Sportsnet on June 26.
Sergachev has seven years remaining on his eight-year, $68 million deal signed on July 13, 2022. The Russian defenseman has no trade protection until July 1, so if Tampa Bay decides to make this mock deal, they would need to act before that date without needing Sergachev’s approval.
Last season, Sergachev played in 34 games for the Lightning, recording 2 goals and 17 assists for 19 points. He suffered a broken leg last season but was a key member of the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup-winning teams before his injury.
Insider Explains Why Maple Leafs Should Make the Trade
After proposing the mock trade, Mirtle emphasized that this is a deal Toronto should seriously consider.
The trade would provide the Maple Leafs with over $2 million in cap space and secure a true No. 1 defenseman in Sergachev, who has seven years left on his contract.
“You get a little bit of cap space, you get a defenseman, you hope that Sergachev rebounds. He didn’t have a great year but played hurt a lot. The Lightning might lose Stamkos and are looking to revamp their team to stay competitive,” Mirtle added.
For Tampa Bay, acquiring Marner would bring an explosive offensive playmaker to their roster. Sergachev’s role has been somewhat diminished due to the team acquiring Ryan McDonagh and still having Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak.
Marner Wants to Remain With Maple Leafs
Despite the trade rumors, Marner has a full no-movement clause, allowing him to veto any trade.
Following the Maple Leafs’ playoff elimination, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Marner wants to stay in Toronto.
“At this point, the Marner camp, led by veteran agent Darren Ferris, is not working on a list of teams. They have no intention of producing such a list. Marner intends to honor his contract with the Leafs,” LeBrun wrote.
“So as far as I can tell right now, this is all about what the Leafs propose to Marner this summer (if anything) — not the other way around. Marner holds most of the cards with his 100 percent no-move clause, which went into effect last July 1,” LeBrun continued.
Last season, Marner recorded 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 games.
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