Front-runner to land Mitch Marner emerges IF he gets traded

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Tyler Ball
May 8, 2024 (2:23 PM)

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With the Toronto Maple Leafs season coming to an end fans and media already have an eye towards the future. One major move that is expected is the trade of Mitch Marner. Now a favorite to land the star winger has emerged on the market.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to announce their plans for the future in the coming weeks. One move that is almost guaranteed at this point is a Mitch Marner trade. Today a new report from Elliotte Friedman has revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs would value a top-tier defenseman as part of the return.

«If they do make a Marner trade maybe they don't �win the trade' and get a stud defenseman,» Friedman said. «But I would think a defenseman would be part of that package.»

As a result, media from different teams have been putting together trade packages that would fit that criteria for Mitch Marner.

Penguins emerge as frontrunner to land Mitch Marner

One team that seems to be a major player in talks will be the Pittsburgh Penguins. The connection with former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas could go a long way.

«A full deal for the Penguins to acquire Marner would include many extra pieces. Several prospects and draft picks would be involved, but the meat of the deal would center around big names and big contracts.»

The name mentioned most in this kind of trade for the Pittsburgh Penguins is Pierre-Olivier Joseph. P.O. Joseph is a reliable two-way defenseman who has played big minutes on good teams in Pittsburgh in previous years. He and other picks and prospects look to be the ideal trade package when working with the Penguins.

If a trade is going to happen for Mitch Marner watch for the Pittsburgh Penguins to be an early favorite. Depending on what other teams get involved the Penguins might not have the assets to stay in the race.

Credit: HockeyFeed
Front-runner already emerges in potential Mitch Marner trade!