Are Auston Matthews And Mitch Marner's Days With The Maple Leafs Numbered?

David

3 min read

Post on Jun 14, 2025

4.2

Share

Are Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner's Days With the Maple Leafs Numbered?

The Toronto Maple Leafs, perennial playoff contenders yet consistent underachievers, find themselves at a crossroads. The looming question hanging over the franchise, and indeed the entire hockey world, is the future of their two biggest stars: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Are their days in the blue and white numbered? The short answer is: it's complicated.

This offseason is crucial. Both Matthews and Marner are entering pivotal contract years, and the pressure on General Manager Brad Treliving is immense. Failure to deliver a Stanley Cup, coupled with potential departures of their cornerstone players, could spell disaster for the Leafs' long-term prospects.

The Auston Matthews Conundrum

Matthews, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and one of the NHL's most prolific goal scorers, has a player option for the 2024-2025 season. While he's repeatedly expressed his appreciation for Toronto, the lack of playoff success could tempt him to explore other options. The allure of winning a Stanley Cup, potentially with a team boasting a stronger supporting cast, is a powerful incentive. He's a generational talent, and teams will be lining up to offer him a lucrative long-term contract should he become a free agent.

Could he be traded before the option year? It's highly unlikely, bordering on impossible. Trading a player of Matthews' caliber mid-season would be a monumental gamble for the Leafs, especially with the pressure already mounting. However, the possibility of a trade next summer, should he not sign an extension, remains a lingering concern for Leafs Nation.

Mitch Marner's Contract Situation

Marner, the Leafs' creative playmaker, is signed through 2024-2025, but his contract is substantial. His performance remains consistently high, but his salary cap hit is a significant factor in the Leafs' already tight salary cap situation. While a trade is less likely than with Matthews (given his contract status), a potential buyout or even a contract restructuring could be explored by Treliving if the Leafs' playoff hopes falter.

The Pressure on Treliving

Brad Treliving inherited a challenging situation. He needs to navigate the complexities of Matthews and Marner's contracts while simultaneously assembling a team capable of making a deep playoff run. This requires shrewd maneuvering in free agency, smart drafting, and perhaps some difficult trade decisions. He's facing immense pressure to deliver results, and the futures of Matthews and Marner are inextricably linked to his success.

What the Future Holds

Ultimately, the answer to whether Matthews and Marner's days in Toronto are numbered depends on several factors: playoff success this season, contract negotiations, and Treliving's ability to build a winning team around them. While the possibility of departures casts a shadow over the franchise, the Leafs remain a formidable team with a bright future. However, the coming months will be critical in determining the long-term direction of the franchise and the destinies of its two superstars.

What do you think? Will Matthews and Marner stay in Toronto? Share your predictions in the comments below!