Mitch Marner reportedly does not want to be traded by Maple Leafs, would prefer to become UFA next summer

Mitch Marner has been rumored to be on his way out of Toronto since just days after the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of this year’s playoffs. But, Marner appears to have other ideas about any move.

Per Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne, Marner currently plans to stick things out in Toronto for the last year remaining on his current contract. The 27-year-old winger has a full no-move clause in his deal, allowing him full control of his destiny for the 2024-25 season.

“The only way it would make sense to do anything other than [stay in Toronto] is if he gets to go exactly where he would’ve chosen [in free agency] anyway immediately, in a trade and with the extension he wants,” Bourne writes. “That way he wouldn’t have to endure a hellish year under the microscope in Toronto and get his ‘vindication tour’ started a skosh earlier.

“But hard as it might be, make no mistake: the motto in Team Marner’s head is stay and play and go UFA.”

Marner, the team’s first-round selection in the 2015 draft, is the lone member of the team’s core, outside of the veteran John Tavares, not to sign a long-term extension with Toronto, deeming him by those in the know the most likely to be on the move.

The Ontario native had another productive season for the Maple Leafs, amassing 85 points (26g, 59a) in 69 games. However, Marner’s playoff production lagged compared to past years as he managed to post just three points (1g, 2a) in seven games.

Marner’s current deal sees him paid a shade over $10.9 million against the cap. He will be eligible for extension talks this summer and most likely be in line for a raise despite how his 2023-24 season ended. However, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Marner has no desire to talk about an extension until the fall at the earliest.

“The focus for Marner is on honoring the remaining year of his contract and seeing where things go from there,” LeBrun writes.

If Marner does refuse to move in a trade, Toronto would likely want to try to extend him rather than lose him for nothing in free agency. The talented forward was spotted having a meeting over coffee with new head coach Craig Berube just over a week ago.

Marner ranks sixth in the NHL in assists (445) and 10th in overall points (639) since his 2016-17 rookie campaign. He is third among wingers in assists, behind just Nikita Kucherov (472) and Artemi Panarin (469).

The Maple Leafs also have other offseason business to take care of in the meantime. Tavares is also eligible for a potential extension, two young restricted free agents Nicholas Robertson and Timothy Liljegren need new contracts, and key contributors like Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi are set to become UFAs.

Per LeBrun, there is also mutual interest in a return for rugged rearguard Joel Edmundson. Toronto acquired Edmundson from the Washington Capitals at this year’s past trade deadline in exchange for two draft picks. Edmundson recorded one assist in 16 combined regular season and playoff games for the Maple Leafs.