The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a crucial juncture this offseason, facing significant decisions regarding key players that will shape the team's future. The futures of Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies are all currently uncertain, leaving General Manager Brad Treliving with considerable work to do.
The Mitch Marner situation is perhaps the most pressing. As of late June 2025, Marner appears poised to test the free agency market, with reports suggesting that the Maple Leafs have been shut out of negotiations. Several teams, including the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights, are reportedly interested in acquiring the star winger. TSN's Darren Dreger indicates that Marner is planning to delay his signing, potentially until mid-July, to carefully consider all offers.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet suggests that the Leafs have attempted to engage Marner's camp in contract talks, but those efforts have been unsuccessful, indicating Marner's readiness to move on. There are even rumors of a potential sign-and-trade deal, with the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights previously being linked to Marner. A three-team deal involving Vegas, Carolina, and Toronto was reportedly close to completion before the trade deadline, which would have sent Marner to Vegas and Mikko Rantanen to Toronto, but ultimately fell through.
The potential loss of Marner would undoubtedly sting. In 2024-25, Marner was the team's third-highest-paid player with a $10.9 million cap hit. While Treliving isn't likely to find a direct replacement for Marner's offensive output, the freed-up cap space could be used to improve the team's depth. Potential targets to fill the void include players who bring a mix of grit, scoring, and leadership.
Adding to the complexity of the Leafs' offseason is the negotiation of John Tavares' next contract. The veteran center is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, after completing a seven-year, $77 million deal. While both sides have expressed a desire for Tavares to remain in Toronto, negotiations appear to be challenging.
Initial reports suggested the Maple Leafs offered Tavares a three-year deal with an average annual value of less than $4 million. However, recent reports suggest that Tavares could receive an $18 million contract. Kristen Shilton of ESPN compared Tavares' situation to Matt Duchene in Dallas, who signed a four-year, $18 million deal with the Stars. While some reports suggest Tavares deserves more than $4.5 million annually, that figure seems to be a good starting point for Toronto.
Chris Johnston of TSN believes a deal can be reached, potentially involving a longer contract to manage the salary cap. Tavares, who recorded 74 points in 75 games last season, is viewed as an important piece for the team's balance. However, his playoff performance was underwhelming, with just seven points in 13 games.
Another key piece of business for Treliving is securing a new contract for Matthew Knies. The young forward is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. Knies is reportedly seeking a contract in the three-to-five-year range, with an average annual value potentially exceeding $7 million.
The Maple Leafs, however, are believed to be aiming for a lower figure, in the $4 million to $5 million range. Despite the differing viewpoints, the Leafs are confident that they will get Knies signed to a reasonable contract extension. Knies, 22, is coming off a strong season in which he scored 29 goals and 58 points in 78 games. He is viewed as a power forward who can contribute in all situations and is exactly the type of player the Leafs need to succeed in the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs have approximately $25.7 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season. Treliving faces the challenge of managing the team's cap effectively while addressing the uncertainties surrounding Marner, Tavares, and Knies. The decisions made in the coming weeks will significantly impact the team's competitiveness in the years to come.
