Maple Leafs GM Opens Up on Plans to Replace Mitch Marner originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs face a major task after moving on from Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade deal completed with the Vegas Golden Knights on the verge of free agency.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving knows the challenge of replacing Marner’s production won’t be solved in a single transaction, but rather by adding multiple capable players to Toronto’s roster during the remainder of the offseason.
Treliving appeared on Sportsnet’s “Kyper & Bourne” show on Wednesday and addressed the situation, his view of it and how he plans to try and fix Marner’s exit.
“Just not as simple as saying, ‘Okay, Mitch has moved on. We go replace Mitch,’” Treliving said. “You kind of got to do that in the aggregate. The opportunity allows you more cap space.
“Can you try to get more depth? Can you, over a couple of moves, replace the offense you’re trying to replace and spread that out throughout the lineup?”
“It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Mitch has moved on, let’s go replace Mitch.’”#LeafsForever GM Brad Treliving shares his process in the search for a top-six forward addition with @RealKyper & @jtbourne.
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Treliving emphasized the current limitations across the league when it comes to top-end talent being available after the first wave of free agency ended early this summer.
The GM also noted that the projected rise in the NHL salary cap has shifted the market dynamics and impacted the willingness of teams to trade players.
“You have a rising cap. You’ve got a shortage of top players,” Treliving said. “There wasn’t a huge appetite for people to move players.”
The Leafs tried to address their top-six need in free agency, but missed out on key targets like Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and Brock Boeser, who stayed with the Vancouver Canucks
With limited free-agency options, Toronto may need to turn to the trade market to find help for Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the Leafs’ new top forward line.
“You’d like to (fill Marner’s void) yesterday,” Treliving said. “I don’t think you’re ever finished. You’re always looking to try to improve your team.”
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.