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. With the biggest day of the offseason – free agency – three days away, rumors continue to swirl around the future of Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner. After another disappointing finish in the postseason, there’s been a call to action, with Marner at the center of the debate. For the past two months, opinions have been divided over the next steps for the 27-year-old. According to recent reports from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Friday’s 32 Thoughts: The Podcast [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/], the Leafs might be preparing to extend a new contract offer to Marner, who has one year remaining on his current six-year, $65.4 million contract. He will be eligible to sign an extension on July 1. “I’m going to stay away from the hot scalding pot that is Mitch Marner, aside to say that I do think they’re preparing to make him an offer, we’ll see,” said Friedman. This report comes days following that the Leafs were running into challenges in exploring a trade for the Toronto, native. For reasons focused on if Marner would willingly waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a trade, whether the inquiring team would accommodate his $10.9 million cap hit for next season, and whether the club is willing to send pieces back in return, it’s been difficult to find a fit that works for both sides. As you can imagine, it’s a tall ask when you get down to the logistics of a realistic trade for the forward. At this point, the Leafs seem to be pursuing a move with Marner, one way or another. An issue seems to fall under the category of insurance for any team looking to acquire Marner, given he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Could a potential sign-and-trade be in the works? Again, Marner holds all the cards in doing so due to his no-movement clause and therefore has the final say for the time being, even if an extension is granted. On July 1, Marner will receive a $7.25 million signing bonus with just $775,000 being owed to the forward before he becomes a free agent in 2025. Marner, who scored 26 goals and added 59 assists for 85 points in 69 games, would be a great fit on a plethora of teams across the NHL, and the Leafs, rightfully so, want to ensure they are getting their value in any trade. The potential contract extension is a topic of significant interest. Given the club’s salary cap considerations, any new deal will likely require careful negotiation to balance the Leafs' financial constraints, with the value and term being the next part of this ordeal on people’s minds. For now, the Marner rollercoaster has taken another turn and we’ll have to see how it plays out over the coming days. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Report: Max Domi Looking for Four Years at $4 Million Per Season Ahead of NHL Free Agency in Extension With Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-max-domi-looking-for-four-years-at-4-million-per-season-ahead-of-nhl-free-agency-in-extension-with-maple-leafs] Former Maple Leafs Alex Kerfoot and Luke Schenn Have High Praise for Star Forward Auston Matthews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/former-maple-leafs-alex-kerfoot-and-luke-schenn-have-high-praise-for-star-forward-auston-matthews] Maple Leafs Face Uncertainty with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi: Contract Negotiations in Flux [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-face-uncertainty-with-tyler-bertuzzi-and-max-domi-contract-negotiations-in-flux] News from THN.com Oilers on the Verge of Becoming the Most Unlikely, Memorable Cup Champs in NHL History [https://thehockeynews.com/news/oilers-on-the-verge-of-becoming-the-most-unlikely-memorable-cup-champs-in-nhl-history] NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest on Pavel Buchnevich, Logan Couture and Cam Atkinson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-pavel-buchnevich-logan-couture-and-cam-atkinson] Dallas Stars' Jim Nill Joins Elite Company With GM of the Year Award Win [https://thehockeynews.com/news/dallas-stars-jim-nill-joins-elite-company-with-gm-of-the-year-award-win]
