NHL Rumors: Tavares, Marner, Maple Leafs, McDavid, Oiler – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs

In today’s NHL rumor, if John Tavares or Mitch Marner leave free agents, the two-time scribes have studied the Toronto Maple Leaf Program B. Will the organization try to fill these vulnerabilities immediately or wait? And if they wait, Maple Leaf can keep their choice this summer, hopefully someone like Connor McDavid can use it?

What if Mana leaves? What is Maple Leaf’s Plan B?

Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle’s track and field check out the alternate options for Maple Leaf if John Tavares or Mitch Marner leave this summer.

Related: How Maple Leaf’s Deadline Acquisition So far

If Tavares goes, Leaf might try to follow Sam Bennett, assuming he is not re-signing with the Florida Panthers. If it weren’t for Bennett, Matt Duchene might be an option.

They wrote:

“Duchene has been signing with Stars lately – a one-year contract of just $3 million per quarter – which adds another tier to take him as an option.

Source – “If Mitch Marner leaves the free agent maple leaf, what is Plan B?” – Jonas Siegel – James Mirtle – Track and Field – 04/01/2025

They also mentioned that Brock Nelson and Mikael Granlund might be targets.

If Marner goes away, the first option that Leaf will see is Nikolaj Ehlers or Brock Boeser. There is a feeling that adding a short stature winger to Ehlers may not be the team’s priority. Boeser “maybe the speed of the Leafs front desk.” They added:

Both Ehlers and Boeser are close to 30 years old and may be overpaid in free agent salaries given their status as top free agents in weak areas in an ascending cap environment. Consider $8 million to $9 million as the starting point.

If Leafs choose not to work from a smaller UFA market, they can sign up for a long time and they can pursue someone in one or two years of deal. Brad Marchand may be a name worthy of attention in this regard. They also suggest Patrick Kane has the option. The backup plan for both may include Jamie Benn, Claude Giroux, Jonathan Drewin, Taylor Hall and Brandon Thamad.

Can Leaf wait for Connor McDavid?

The two scribes wondered if the best matches were to wait and keep the powder dry until 2026 Free agent. Some big names may appear, including Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Kyle Connor, Kirill Kaprizov, and most notably Connor McDavid.

With the NHL salary cap expected to rise to $104 million, several elite players could hit the open market, and the Maple Leafs might want to position themselves as a strike.

In particular, Siegel and Mirtle noted that while many of these stars may be re-signed before this, the possibility of McDavid testing free agents remains fascinating. If he doesn’t re-sign with the Edmonton Oilers this summer, Toronto could be a potential landing site.

If the Leafs lose Mitch Marner in free agent next year, they may consider several different situations. Both sides agreed that the likelihood of Tavares returning could increase if Marner leaves. He may be one of the key parts of any game plan.