Ex-NHLer Links the Maple Leafs to Stanley Cup Winner Sam Bennett

On Sunday, we saw Leafs' GM Brad Treliving attempted to extinguish a quickly spreading fire in Toronto regarding Marner's future with the club.

While Treliving doubled down on his comments about retaining Marner with a new deal, it appears that after striking out trying to land Mikko Rantanen, the Leafs already have a backup plan in place on how to spend some of their valuable cap space should Marner bolt for more money on July 1st.

On yesterday's NHL on TNT broadcast, Paul Bissonnette was split on if Marner returns to the Leafs next season, but added that the Leafs have interest in Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett.

It's no surprise that the Leafs have interest in the 28-year-old Bennett. After all, he was Treliving's first ever selection as GM of the Calgary Flames, fourth overall, in 2014. The Stanley Cup Champion may not have the offensive upside that Marner holds, but he can play both center and wing and provides a ton of sandpaper and physicality.

In the final year of a deal that sees him earn just $4.425M, Bennett will be looking for a substantial raise, but it will be nothing near the reported $13M-$14M that Marner is looking for.

While the Leafs have interest, like a lot of teams will, they will have to hope that the 28-year-old Bennett first makes it to July 1st. If not, and Marner chooses to walk, the Leafs will have to pivot in a hurry to find a suitable replacement.