Mitch Marner Reportedly Not RETURNING to Maple Leafs Next Season

Mitch Marner has been part of the Toronto Maple Leafs since the 2016-17 season and has picked up 741 points in 657 games.

Mitch Marner Reportedly Not RETURNING to Maple Leafs Next Season

Mitch Marner (Image via X/@BR_OpenIcE)

It seems Mitch Marner‘s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs has come to an end. As per NHL insider Andy Strickland, the Canadian international will not be returning to the team next season and will be playing somewhere else.

Marner is currently in the final year of his 6-year contract that he signed in 2019. Once his contract expires he will become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA).

In the entire 2024-25 season, the big talking point regarding the Maple Leafs has revolved around the future of Marner. Following another heartbreaking elimination in Game 7 from the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, these talks have heated up more.

A few weeks ago, there had been reports that the team was seeking clarity from the 28-year-old regarding his decision before making any moves in the offseason. According to the new reports, the player have may made his decision.

Once the season officially ends and his contract expires, Marner can sign with any team in the league. This includes the Maple Leafs as well. He could negotiate a new deal and re-sign with his hometown team.

However, in a tweet on X, Strickland claimed he can confirm that Marner will not be returning to the Maple Leafs next season.

Can confirm Mitch Marner will not be returning to Toronto. Will be playing for a new team come next season.

Marner has been part of the team since the 2016-17 season. In the 9 years with the Maple Leafs, the forward has scored 221 goals and 520 assists in 657 regular-season games. He is one of the ‘Core 4‘ members of the team along with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares.

Mitch Marner recently declined largest contract in Maple Leafs history

The loss of Mitch Marner will be a major blow to the Toronto Maple Leafs. While his exit has not been officially confirmed yet, the chances of that happening have increased a bit now following the reports from Andy Strickland. The team did try to keep him and even offered him one of the biggest contract in their history, only for the player to reject it.

Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner (Image via Imago)

As per The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, the team offered him an 8-year deal, which would have been the largest in the team’s history. As per the NHL insider, this took place before the start of the playoffs. Marner would decline a contract extension.

At the moment, the biggest contract in the franchise’s history belongs to current captain, Auston Matthews. The American International penned down a 4-year $53 million deal in 2023, which sees him earning $13.25 million annually.

Marner’s new deal with the Maple Leafs could have eclipsed this contract of Matthews. However, the player reportedly turned down the chance to do this.

Mitch Marner also refused to get traded by the Maple Leafs earlier this season

As the season went on, the Toronto Maple Leafs even tried to trade Mitch Marner at one stage. However, the player himself refused to get traded to any team.

Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner (Image via Imago)

Before the trade deadline earlier this year, the Maple Leafs found themselves an opportunity to trade Marner. After acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes were trying to trade him away.

The Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner were one option for them. Marner though, would use his no-trade clause and blocked off the move.

Rantanen eventually ended up getting traded to the Dallas Stars, where he signed an 8-year $96 million contract extension. Meanwhile, Marner has since then remained tight-lipped about his future. It now remains to be seen where does he eventually go if he does not return to Toronto.

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