Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner reportedly could've been a Vegas Golden Knight last summer.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights discussed a trade that included Marner. However, Vegas reportedly axed the trade when Toronto asked for defenseman Shea Theodore as part of the return.
"I heard they told people, 'You wanna watch Shea Theodore? You can buy a ticket to watch him play for us,'" Friedman reported. "And they followed through on their word."
This is the second time a report surfaced about the Maple Leafs attempting to trade Marner. Following the NHL trade deadline in March, it was reported that Toronto had the chance to send the playmaking forward to Carolina in exchange for Mikko Rantanen.
Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause, and the Hurricanes eventually moved Rantanen to the Dallas Stars.
"The Leafs approached Marner before the deadline and told him that their first choice was for him to sign an extension in Toronto," The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported, "but that a trade to Carolina was possible if he didn’t want to do that. Marner said he wanted to remain with the Leafs."
Reports: Hurricanes Asked Maple Leafs For Mitch Marner In Exchange For Mikko Rantanen Before NHL Trade Deadline
Marner is in the final season of a six-year contract he signed with Toronto in September 2019.
The 28-year-old forward finished the regular season with a career-high 102 points — 27 goals and 75 assists — in 81 games. He scored two goals and 11 assists through 13 playoff games against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.
Marner, a free agent on July 1, has been given the chance several times this season to express his desire to remain in Toronto beyond this year. The forward, however, hasn't done so, clearing the path for him to test the open market once the month shifts to July.
"Always loved my time here," Marner said during locker cleanout day. "Like I said to you guys the other night, I've been so grateful. I haven't processed anything yet. It's still so fresh."
'I Haven't Processed Anything Yet': Does Mitch Marner Want To Return To The Maple Leafs Next Season?
As soon as the final horn sounded after the Toronto Maple Leafs' <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r4M5avm5oA&t=453s">6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers</a> in Game 7 of their second-round series, Mitch Marner was the very last player to leave the ice. He looked like a player who may have played his last game with the club.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving held his end-of-season media availability on Thursday and was asked about Marner's future in Toronto. "I think Mitch is a tremendous player. We've talked throughout the year. You've heard me speak. I think he's a star," the Toronto GM said.
"We're going to meet as a staff. I'm going to be in touch with Mitch's representative and all of our players' representatives and determine what's best, right? Now, Mitch has a say in this as well, right? So this isn't the world according to Brad."
Treliving acknowledged that Marner has a decision in this scenario, too. Most of the league's teams will likely put together an offer for Marner, and it'll be up to him to decide where he lands. Is it possible the forward sees what's on the other side of the fence and wants to return to Toronto?
Yes.
'He's Got A Say In The Process': Where Do Things Stand Between Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving and Mitch Marner?
Mitch Marner's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs still remains up in the air.
Steven Stamkos looked ready to test the open market in 2016 before returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning on an eight-year, $68 million deal two days before free agency began. It's possible, but not probable, that Marner does that.
Unless anything changes, the forward is primed to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
"We've got to take a step back, meet with our group. How do we best move forward? What are the costs?" Treliving said. "All those things that go into a contract and everything else, and how does it fit within the puzzle? So we'll see how that happens over the course of the next couple of weeks."
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