Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs continues to fuel discussions, but a trade seems unlikely.
TSN insider Darren Dreger said Monday he believes general manager Brad Treliving would prefer to offer Marner a contract extension rather than trade the star forward.
The 27-year-old winger will be eligible for a contract extension on July 1 and has a full no-move clause as he enters the final year of his current deal with an average annual salary of $10.9 million. $. Dreger reported last week that Marner was focusing on the final year of his contract, while Treliving was keeping all his options open.
“The whirlwind that continues to swirl around Mitch Marner seems endless, but nothing has really changed on this issue. Marner has one year left on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he plans to play it out, so maybe we’ll have this conversation as July 1, 2025 approaches? » Dreger said on the show Insider Trading. “But that doesn’t mean Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs can’t have conversations and explore possibilities.
“But as we have this discussion, Marner’s goal is to train in the off-season and prepare to return to Toronto’s training camp. »
Marner had 26 goals and 85 points in 69 games last season. He was held to one goal and three points in seven playoff games by the Boston Bruins, as Toronto suffered its seventh first-round elimination in eight years.
Johnson wants to stay in Philadelphia
Veteran defenseman Erik Johnson would be tempted by a return to the Philadelphia Flyers for his 17th season in the NHL.
Reporter Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports that the Flyers have discussed a new contract with Johnson, noting that the 36-year-old wants to continue his career and is interested in remaining in Philadelphia.
Acquired by the Flyers from the Buffalo Sabers at the trade deadline, Johnson finished the season with five goals and six points in 67 games with both teams. The Flyers gave up a fourth-round pick to get him.
A veteran of 987 NHL games, Johnson scored 93 goals and 342 points during his career with the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Sabers and Flyers.
Selected first overall by the Blues in 2006, Johnson won his first career Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
