Maple Leafs Rumors: 4 Teams To Watch In Potential Mitch Marner Sweepstakes

Things have gone a bit quiet in recent days on the Toronto Maple Leafs/Mitch Marner potential trade front. The most recent reports have Marner dead-set against leaving Toronto, his lifelong home. He has one more year left on his current $10.9M AAV pact, and if no extension is forthcoming, he has the right to lean on his full no-movement clause and stay right where he is for 2024-25.

But... If Leafs' management is somehow able to convince him that it's in his, and the team's, best interest to find him a fresh start, he will "consider his options" according to reports. And there will be a long line of teams interested in bringing in the perennial 90-point-range scorer and playmaker.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently posited four teams to "keep an eye on" in any forthcoming Mitch Marner Sweepstakes:

Nashville Predators

We know that Predators GM Barry Trotz has been acquiring more draft picks in recent days, and some feel it's so that he can make a run at trading for Marner. But the featured return in any Leafs/Preds trade, and this one has been making the rounds for a couple of weeks, is expected to be goaltender Juuse Saros. Nashville has a top netminding prospect in Yaroslav Askarov who could be ready to take over between the pipes.

Vegas Golden Knights

It's true that anytime there's a splashy, big-time name on the trade market, the Golden Knights will be sniffing around. They've got plenty of talented pieces that they could cobble together to make a potentially enticing package for the Leafs, but right now, it's nothing but a "bold prediction" to see Vegas get involved here, as they are tight against the cap.

Chicago Blackhawks

This is a team that's been floated as well in connection with Marner, largely based on Seth Jones coming the other way. The big d-man is signed for six more seasons at a $9.5 million cap hit, and while that's a hefty chunk of change, it would still be cheaper than what Marner will commanding over that same time period, and for the Leafs, it better balances their distribution of funds—IF they feel that Jones is the No. 1 defenseman they're looking for. That's certainly up for debate.

Dallas Stars

Yes, Dallas is still a little busy right now in a rollercoaster ride of a Conference Final with the Edmonton Oilers, currently tied at two games apiece. But adding a dynamic offensive presence like Marner could take the Stars to a new level.