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Maple Leafs Trade Lands Auston Matthews’ Friend as Mitch Marner’s Replacement…
Thanks to the new NHL roster tool available on PuckPedia, fans have been busy brainstorming trade ideas involving Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.
One fan on PuckPedia submitted a trade proposal that sends Marner to the Utah Hockey Club, capitalizing on the well-known friendship between Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews and Utah’s Clayton Keller.
Trade Details:
Maple Leafs receive:
- Clayton Keller
- John Marino
- Jack McBain
- Nick Bjugstad
Hockey Club receives:
- Mitch Marner
- Timothy Liljegren
- Conor Timmins
- David Kampf
- Roni Hirvonen
- Vyacheslav Peksa
- W. Villeneuve
While this trade involves 11 players, the focus is clearly on Marner and Keller. Keller, entering the fifth season of his eight-year, $57.2 million contract originally signed with the Arizona Coyotes, has accumulated 418 points in 520 games. Marner, with 639 points in 576 games, would be a significant loss for Toronto as his contract expires in 2025.
https://x.com/pbrownhockey/status/1753222121721847906
For Toronto, this trade provides a new offensive winger with established chemistry with Matthews and a fresh start for Marner as the standout star of a relocated franchise.
The trade also involves swapping defensemen Timothy Liljegren and John Marino, further balancing the deal.
https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1813976488221581368
Auston Matthews’ Connection to Clayton Keller
The trade is also fueled by the close relationship between Matthews and Keller. A recent Instagram post by Matthews, showing his dog with Keller’s, sparked speculation about a potential trade. Additionally, Matthews and Keller were seen together at UFC 303, and they often spend time together in the summer.
During the NHL All-Star Game, Matthews drafted Keller for his team, highlighting their strong bond. Keller has mentioned their close friendship and frequent summer hangouts, reinforcing the potential for this trade.
Mitch Marner’s Future
Marner, who has a full no-move clause in his contract, controls his short-term future in Toronto. With one year remaining on his contract and a cap hit of $10.9 million, he could veto any trade and become a free agent in 2025.
Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet believes Marner will stay with the Leafs through the upcoming season and become a top free agent in 2025. Dixon predicts that other superstars like Sidney Crosby and Leon Draisaitl will sign extensions before July 2025, leaving Marner as the top UFA available.
“As the summer wears on and we get further removed from the white-hot anger over Toronto’s latest playoff stumble, the reality of the Marner situation continues to take hold and the idea he’ll be with the Leafs on Day 1 of training camp — perhaps for the last time — becomes more and more likely,” Dixon wrote.
Ultimately, Dixon suggests that Marner might play out his final year in Toronto and then hit the open market, setting up a major free agency in 2025.
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