The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to add more offense to their roster to replace Mitch Marner, who will likely leave in free agency.
The Maple Leafs could pursue other free agents, but Toronto could also explore the trade market. NHL insider Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that the Maple Leafs are interested in trading for Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers.
“There’s a chance that Drury has already worked it out with Zibanejad, who has five years at a $8.5 million average annual value remaining plus a full no-move clause, that moving on would be best. They’d still need to find a fit,” Staple wrote. “The Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill. But trading Kreider’s BFF soon after dealing Kreider would produce the impact on cap flexibility and team culture Drury so badly wants.
“Zibanejad holds the cards, though, and he gave no indication before the season ended that he was interested in leaving,” Staple added. “Of the headline-making moves Drury could still pull off in the coming weeks, this one helps the Rangers the most, especially since J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck have two of the center spots nailed down. The Rangers would be able to replace Zibanejad via the wing UFA market, which would yield far more bargains than finding a top-six center.”
Zibanejad could be Toronto’s second-line center, which is an area of need. He’s also under contract for five more seasons in his eight-year, $68 million deal. Zibanejad did struggle last season, but the Maple Leafs would be banking on him getting back to form.
The Swede recorded 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points in 82 games last season.
Maple Leafs GM Looking to Shake Up Core
Toronto had another playoff disappointment and will be looking to shake up its roster.
After the playoff exit, the Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, said the DNA of the team needs to change, hinting at some major moves.
“We have to find a way to push through at the most critical moments. And that’s the challenge in front of us. Moving forward, we have a good team. We’ve changed, we’ve changed a lot in the last 12 months,” Treliving said.
“There will be change moving forward, that’s just the nature of the business,” Treliving added. “We have to continue to change and evolve our mindset and create the team, both between the ears, personnel, to be our very best at the most critical moments. There’s some DNA that has to change on our team. If you keep getting to the same result, and that’s not to dismiss a lot of the good that (led) up to it, if you keep getting the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change. That’s on me going forward, and our staff.”
The Maple Leafs will likely see Marner leave in free agency and could also trade some other key players of their core.
Zibanejad Spoke to Rangers Coach Amid Trade Rumors
Despite Zibanejad’s name coming up in trade talks, he is hoping he will stay with the Rangers.
Zibanejad spoke to new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan about his potential role with the team.
“Obviously excited with a coach like that,” Zibanejad said. “He’s had a lot of success. I had a quick phone call with him and I’m sure we’ll have more calls and more conversations during the summer, obviously getting to know him.”
Zibanejad has spent the last nine years with the Rangers.
Insider Claims Maple Leafs Have Interest in Trading for $68M Star Forward