Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has been surrounded by trade rumors all summer, and these speculations are likely to persist.
PuckPedia has introduced a new tool called PuckGM, allowing users to create their own trades. While some users propose unrealistic trades, others come up with more feasible deals that benefit both teams.
One user suggested a trade that would send Mitch Marner to the New York Rangers in exchange for former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and other assets. This potential blockbuster trade seems logical on paper. Marner, currently outperforming Lafreniere, would provide the Rangers, who are in their Cup window, with a playmaker to pair with Artemi Panarin. Additionally, New York would offload Jacob Trouba’s contract and bring in a younger defenseman, Timothy Liljegren.
For Toronto, acquiring Trouba would bolster their defense, and adding Lafreniere, the top pick in 2020, would provide a promising forward. Although Lafreniere is unsigned, as a restricted free agent, the Maple Leafs would hold his rights and could sign him for less than Marner’s current salary.
Despite the intriguing aspects of this trade, it currently appears that both Marner and Trouba will stay with their respective teams.
Marner, a Toronto native, has expressed his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs, even as he approaches the final year of his contract.