After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Mitch Marner saga continues to unfold. Since the end of the 2023-24 season, Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner has been a focal point of attention. The ‘Core Four’ has faced intense scrutiny, and fans in Toronto have sparked a rather polarizing debate over the next steps for the 27-year-old, who appears to be the odd man out given the circumstances. Despite the speculation, the club has attempted to quell the noise, with general manager Brad Treliving deflecting questions about the winger’s future and referencing newly appointed bench boss Craig Berube’s excitement to coach him next fall. For now, all signs point to Marner staying put. However, an intriguing report from the Toronto Star’s Nick Kypreos [https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/this-maple-leafs-off-season-is-off-to-a-nice-start-theres-a-long-way/article_0a3c3358-37d8-11ef-b454-fb40c384cd11.html#:%7e:text=This%20Maple%20Leafs%20off%2Dseason,last%20five%20Stanley%20Cup%20winners] revealed that former Leafs forward Ryan O'Reilly was a strong advocate for the Nashville Predators to pursue a blockbuster trade for Marner before the team made significant investments in high-profile free agents such as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. “Prior to the Predators spending a whack of dough on free agents (Steven) Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, eq-Leaf Ryan O’Reilly did his very best to convince GM Barry Trotz to make a push and trade for Mitch Marner,” Kypreos said. General manager Barry Trotz, known for his willingness to make bold moves, took O'Reilly's word to add pieces seriously. However, the logistics of acquiring Marner, who holds a full no-movement clause in his contract with the Maple Leafs, likely presented a formidable challenge. Ultimately, as we have come to know, the Predators opted to focus their efforts on free agency. Besides, it’s unclear whether Marner would have waived his no-movement clause to entertain a move to Nashville, despite being under the microscope in Toronto. Let’s be honest, the spotlight in Toronto is much harsher than in Nashville or nearly any other NHL market. The term ‘scapegoat’ has become well-known in this market, and Marner has become the latest subject. Despite this, he has expressed his desire to remain a Maple Leaf for the long term, though a change of scenery might benefit both parties. However, playing in Toronto isn’t for everybody, just ask O’Reilly. Though he claimed to enjoy his time in Toronto, O’Reilly packed his bags and departed on the first day of free agency in 2023, signing a four-year, $18 million contract with the Predators while stating the ‘spotlight’ was an influential factor in his move. “I think so many things come into play, but yeah I think that is a factor as well," O'Reilly said in an interview on First Up on TSN 1050 [https://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-1050/o-reilly-on-his-time-in-toronto-why-he-chose-nashville-and-if-reports-of-why-he-left-leafs-are-true-1.1985076]. "It is different. It is something I did enjoy for the time there but I just felt it was better to be somewhere else." Aside from the spotlight, the fit made sense for the simple fact the Preds were looking to add a bona fide star forward and had the cap space to do so. This isn’t the first time Nashville has been swirled into the Marner conundrum, either. In the latter half of May, the Predators cleared all of Ryan McDonagh's $6.5 million cap hit, which led Tennessean reporter Alex Daugherty to ask Trotz if he'd use the new-found cap space to try and acquire someone like Marner. "They haven't talked to us," Trotz replied. "I read the same stuff as you, that's just rumors." And so, the Marner discourse continued from there. Now that July 1 has come and gone, Marner has received a $7.25 million signing bonus with just $775,000 being owed to the forward before he becomes a free agent in 2025. There has been little to no insight regarding a possible extension or trade, indicating that he will play out the final season of his six-year, $10.93 million contract in 2024-25. The 85-point scorer will be seeking a pay raise beyond this season, with or without the Maple Leafs. Holding a full no-movement clause, Marner ultimately controls his own fate as any trade would require his approval. 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