As the 2025 NHL off-season progresses, there’s growing speculation about the future of Mitch Marner with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The star right winger, who will become a UFA (unrestricted free agent) soon, could potentially be on his way out. However, before the Leafs make any major decisions, is it really in their best interest to let him go? We’ll argue that it’s still possible for Marner to stay in Toronto, but only under the right circumstances.
The Financial Hierarchy: Matthews Comes First
For any new contract to be agreed upon, there’s one clear rule: Mitch Marner’s salary should not exceed that of Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. Matthews is currently making $13.25 million per year for the next three seasons. If Marner demands more than that, then Leafs GM Brad Treliving should let him walk. The Leafs must establish a financial hierarchy that emphasizes Matthews as the top-paid player.
This idea isn’t unique to Toronto. Teams like the Colorado Avalanche have successfully managed their salary structure by ensuring that no player, not even their stars, earns more than their top guy—in this case, Nathan MacKinnon. A situation where Marner demands a larger paycheck than Matthews could disrupt the team’s internal dynamics and send the wrong message to the rest of the roster. If Marner wants to be paid more than Matthews, it’s time for Toronto to thank him for his contributions and part ways.
The No-Trade Clause Dilemma
Another key factor in any potential deal is the structure of Marner’s contract. The Leafs cannot offer him a full no-trade or no-move clause. While a partial no-trade clause might be negotiable, giving Marner the power to completely veto any potential trade should not be part of the discussion. If the team struggles in the future and management decides a trade is in the best interest of the team, they need the flexibility to move him if necessary.
If Marner resists this request, Toronto should be prepared to part ways with him. But, this is only if they’ve exhausted all other avenues to keep him. Marner’s contribution to the team goes beyond just the money, and there’s still plenty of reason for the Leafs to keep him around, provided the contract offers some flexibility for the team.
Marner’s Value to the Leafs’ Offense
Losing Mitch Marner would be a major blow to the Leafs’ offensive game. At 28 years old, Marner is currently in his prime and coming off a career-high 75 assists and 102 points in the regular season. These numbers are not easy to replace. Sure, the Leafs could explore acquiring another player like Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett, but many believe Bennett will remain with Florida. Unless GM Treliving can find another top-tier player via trade, the Leafs’ potent offense would undoubtedly suffer without Marner.
The timing is critical here. If the Leafs were interested in trading Marner, they should have done so before his no-trade clause came into effect. That window has closed, and now, Toronto needs to figure out how to retain him, which would ensure that their offense remains strong and the team has the cap flexibility to make future moves in a rising salary cap environment.
The Right Time to Let Marner Go
While it’s an option to let Marner walk, this should be a secondary choice for the Leafs. The primary goal should be retaining his services at least for another season. If, after the upcoming season, the Leafs still aren’t making deep playoff runs, the team could explore trading him then—but only from a position of strength. Currently, Marner holds all the power, and the Leafs need to shift that balance.
If Marner refuses to meet the team’s terms, the Leafs will have to make the hard decision to let him go. However, if both parties can come to an agreement that fits Toronto’s long-term plans, the Marner era in Toronto could continue.
For now, the Leafs still have time to work out a deal with Marner. With the emotions of the team’s second-round exit from the playoffs behind them, both Marner and Treliving should focus on finding a solution that allows him to remain a key part of the team. But ultimately, any contract offer has to be on the Leafs’ terms. If it isn’t, it might be time to end the Marner era in Toronto.
