Former NHL Player Suggest That Maple Leafs Star Will Be Hitting The Road

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Hunter Bowman
January 11, 2024 (4:57 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs recently secured William Nylander with a substantial extension, but it's sparked concerns as almost half of the team's salary cap is now tied up in just four players. This has led to speculation about the future of Mitch Marner, a crucial member of the "Core 4."

Former Maple Leafs left wing turned podcaster, Jay Rosehill, expressed his views on a podcast, indicating that Marner's days in Toronto might be numbered, especially with the challenges posed by his no-trade clause.

"While I want to see Willy signed and not let go, every time I consider that contract, I ponder Marner and the challenges of managing the Core 4. Marner's no-trade clause has kicked in, and it leaves us wondering what to do,"

Rosehill commented.

Assessing the team's performance this season, Rosehill raised questions about their ability to clinch the Stanley Cup. He suggested the need for significant changes at the trade deadline, highlighting concerns about having too much invested in the Core 4, particularly in playoff scenarios.

"I don't think having that many eggs in the basket of the Core 4 is gonna work. It's not gonna work in the playoffs. You can have some pretty awesome regular seasons... but, in my mind, we need to unload Marner and get as much as we possibly can for him,"

Rosehill added.

According to Rosehill, Marner seems to be the odd man out in the Leafs' cap situation, driven by doubts about the team's playoff success with him.

"He's just my pick for that, and he's the only guy - I mean, Marner, Nylander, or Matthews, no one is going to take that Tavares contract - so for me, it's Marner," he stated. "You can't walk away from Matthews, you don't walk away from Willy, and that leaves the odd man out as Marner. My opinion is that you're not going to win in the playoffs with him. He doesn't have the gumption, he doesn't have the tenacity, he won't go to war with you for two straight months."

Source: Hawksinsider