Mitch Marner to Vegas to address the blueline needs in Toronto?
The Vegas Golden Knights aren't scared to make big moves and they could look to acquire another star in Mitch Marner, sending a top defenseman to Toronto.
At their season-ending press conference, President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan was quoted as saying that the Leafs "have to consider everything", which many took as Shanahan saying the "Core 4" will not be together come training camp or the start of next season.
With Auston Matthews and William Nylander signed to extensions, the likely candidates to be moved have been John Tavares and Mitch Marner, but with Tavares essentially already stating he intends to play out his contract in Toronto, Marner and his $10.9M appears to be the odd man out, so to speak.
There have been countless mock trades being circulated involving Marner, but one that would make sense for the Leafs and their trade partner sees Marner traded to the Golden Knights for Shea Theodore plus.
The 27-year-old Theodore is entering the final year of his current deal that carries a $5.2M cap hit and has proven to be a true top-pairing defenseman that can play the left and right side. The 6'2, 197-pound blueliner would not only provide the Leafs with an offensive punch, but also fits the mold of the defenseman that Leafs GM Brad Treliving is looking for.
In addition to Theodore, the Leafs could also inquire about adding Nicholas Roy to the package to balance the scales in any Marner deal. Roy carries a $3M cap hit for the next three seasons and adds some secondary scoring (13G, 41points) and a very big body (6'4, 200 pounds) to the middle-six.
Obviously, the deal would need to have additional pieces included to make it more appealing for both sides, and likely would only happen if Vegas is unable to keep Johnathan Marchessault and/or Chandler Stephenson.
The deal would also require Marner to waive his no-movement clause, which may not be hard to convince him to do given that he would be going to a tax-free state and to a perennial contender.
As each day passes, it seems less and less likely that Marner will be in blue and white next season, and the Leafs have plenty of suitors for the perennial 90+ point winger, but a trade with Vegas looks like the most logical for all parties involved.
| POLL | ||
MAI 21 | 431 ANSWERS Mitch Marner to Vegas to address the blueline needs in Toronto? Who says no in a Marner for Theodore, Roy + deal? | ||
| Leafs | 254 | 58.9 % |
| Vegas | 177 | 41.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
