In an idea that seems to come from way out in left field, two scribes for The Athletic are suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs hold off on a big 2025 summer swing in the hopes that one of the game’s great stars will become available and GM Brad Treliving can make a play.
“What if, for instance, McDavid opts not to sign an extension with the Edmonton Oilers this summer and somehow becomes available? If he were to leave Edmonton, the chance to play for his hometown team, and with close pal Matthews — who shares the same agent in Judd Moldaver — could be appealing.”
source – ‘If Mitch Marner leaves the Maple Leafs in free agency, what is Plan B?’ – Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle – The Athletic – 04/02/2025
Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle argued this in a recent column for The Athletic. While looking at possible backup plans should Mitch Marner or John Tavares leave in free agency this summer, they suggested that going cheaper with the Leafs’ free-agent buys this offseason could be part of a bigger-picture strategy that has the team eyeing a much bigger splash in 2026.
Plan A For the Leafs This Summer
Ideally, the Leafs want to extend Mitch Marner and keep Tavares, assuming the price is right. If that doesn’t happen, Toronto will need to find a way to replace their production if they want to remain competitive next season.
First, if Tavares goes, the two scribes suggested going after Florida Panthers pending UFA Sam Bennett. The Panthers want to re-sign Bennett, and there will be a long line of interested suitors, so that’s potentially a long shot. Plan B to Bennett is apparently Matt Duchene- at least according to Mirtle and Siegel.
If Marner goes, it’s not entirely clear what the Maple Leafs will do. Everyone from Nikolaj Ehlers to Brock Boeser and from Brock Nelson to Mikael Granlund were mentioned as possible targets. Boeser “might be more the Leafs front office’s speed,” they write. They also suggested $8 million to $9 million per season as a starting point.
Is McDavid Out There for the Maple Leafs?
Their article takes an interesting turn while suggesting the market this summer isn’t terribly deep. Some bigger names will see their contracts end in 2026, and if the Leafs decide not to make pitches and overpay for players in a smaller UFA market, they could pursue a much bigger fish.
The two scribes wondered if the smarter play was to wait and see if names like Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Kyle Connor, Kirill Kaprizov, and, most notably, Connor McDavid make it to market. With the NHL salary cap projected to rise to $104 million, adding a superstar and having the money to take a run at someone bigger could completely change the team’s fortunes if they lose Marner or Tavares. They note, “Keeping that option at least open makes some sense in a world where Marner walks.”
They added:
It would be an uncertain and potentially risky road for the Leafs, given all of the most promising names could be crossed off before they even get a chance to bid. But the upside is much higher than the cast of players available to sign this July 1.
The reality is that McDavid likely won’t make it to free agency. There’s no indication he’s trying to leave the Edmonton Oilers. He will likely extend his contract on July 1 this summer, potentially inking the largest deal in the history of the NHL. His good friend Leon Draisaitl has already committed for another eight years, and the Oilers are Cup contenders. McDavid has as many ties to Edmonton now as he does to Toronto, and he wants to finish what he started.
If the Maple Leafs choose not to find a replacement for Marner or Tavares, that would be a mistake. Waiting for someone like McDavid would likely ruin their chances of being competitive, as it’s little more than a pipe dream.