One team ready to do whatever it takes to acquire Mitch Marner
Photo credit: Maple Leafs Hot Stove
One team has Mitch Marner on their radar for when he potentially hits the free agency market next summer. The Chicago Blackhawks will be actively pursuing him.
As the weeks go by, it appears that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner will be making his debut with the team, as opposed to being traded. Attention seems to be shifting to free agency next season, as there is a high chance Marner plays out the final year of his contract in Toronto, and then decides to walk next summer.
Should Marner decide to test free agency next year, insider Mark Lazarus believes there is one specific team that will be all in for him, the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Do you expect the Hawks to be more aggressive in free agency next year, maybe even trading away important picks for players?" Lazerus was asked.
"The fact that Davidson was ready to trade next year's unprotected top pick (almost certainly a top-10 pick) to Columbus for the ability to draft Demidov is as clear a sign as any that the Blackhawks are ready to stop living years in the future. Could they deal away future picks for players? It's possible, but unlikely. Trades like that are rare, and it's not as if they'll be in the rental market at the trade deadline. But perhaps they look for this generation's Brian Campbell and/or Marian Hossa next summer — the player who signals to both the team and its fans that it's time to start taking the Blackhawks seriously again.
With Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Shea Theodore and Aaron Ekblad among the players slated for unrestricted free agency next summer, just as players such as Oliver Moore and Levshunov are ready to break into the NHL for good, things could get interesting very quickly," wrote Lazerus in response.
"The fact that Davidson was ready to trade next year's unprotected top pick (almost certainly a top-10 pick) to Columbus for the ability to draft Demidov is as clear a sign as any that the Blackhawks are ready to stop living years in the future. Could they deal away future picks for players? It's possible, but unlikely. Trades like that are rare, and it's not as if they'll be in the rental market at the trade deadline. But perhaps they look for this generation's Brian Campbell and/or Marian Hossa next summer — the player who signals to both the team and its fans that it's time to start taking the Blackhawks seriously again.
With Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Shea Theodore and Aaron Ekblad among the players slated for unrestricted free agency next summer, just as players such as Oliver Moore and Levshunov are ready to break into the NHL for good, things could get interesting very quickly," wrote Lazerus in response.
Back when the Marner trade rumors started after the Leafs were eliminated by the Panthers in the playoffs, one of the first teams involved in trading for him were the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago is loaded with young talent, and would love to have a veteran like Marner to come in and help the young guys grow. The Hawks are ready to contend.
Marner is expected to demand a very high salary next summer, and the Leafs simply do not have the room to sign him. Chicago will be right there waiting and ready to hand Marner the keys to their franchise.
Credit: Hockey PatrolInsider reveals which team will push hardest for Mitch Marner in free agency
Source: HockeyDBMitch Marner Statistics
| POLL | ||
29 JUILLET | 142 ANSWERS One team ready to do whatever it takes to acquire Mitch Marner Will Mitch Marner be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks by next summer? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 33.8 % |
| No | 94 | 66.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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