The “Core Four” era in Toronto has come to an end. Mitch Marner has been traded to the Vegas Golden Knights via a sign-and-trade agreement, leaving the Maple Leafs with the urgent task of finding a suitable replacement.
Naturally, replacing a player like Marner is a challenging endeavor. He consistently produced at a 100-point pace, played responsible defense, and contributed effectively on all special teams. While finding a single player capable of replicating his entire skillset is unlikely, the Leafs can mitigate his departure`s impact by combining contributions from multiple sources.
One part of the solution is already with the team and is signed for the next six years: Matthew Knies. Knies shows potential for significant growth, but he alone cannot fully compensate for Marner`s absence. Fortunately for Toronto, there are promising options available on the trade market and in free agency.
Two dynamic young forwards in the Western Conference are rumored to be available before the 2025-26 season, and either would be an excellent fit for the Maple Leafs. Additionally, as free agency opens on Tuesday at noon ET, several other players should be on Toronto`s radar.
Let`s take a closer look at how the Maple Leafs can approach replacing Marner`s substantial offensive output.
In-House Potential: Matthew Knies
Regardless of any external acquisitions, the continued development of Matthew Knies is vital to the Maple Leafs` effort to replace Marner`s production. With a void equivalent to a 100-point player in the lineup, multiple players need to increase their contributions, and Knies is expected to be a significant part of that.
At 22 years old, Knies had a breakout season, scoring 29 goals and adding 29 assists in 78 games. He is on an upward career trajectory, and there is reason to believe he could potentially reach the 40-goal mark in the coming years. This potential is clearly something the Leafs are banking on, having just signed him to a six-year contract extension with an annual average value of $7.75 million. The key question is whether Knies can continue his ascent and handle an expanded role without facing performance dips.
Trade Target: Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars)
Jason Robertson is perhaps the most intriguing potential acquisition for the Maple Leafs. The Dallas Stars are currently less than a million dollars under the salary cap with only 10 forwards signed, a situation that is not sustainable. This financial constraint suggests Robertson, who carries a $7.75 million cap hit and will require a new contract next summer, might be available.
Over the past three seasons, only 15 players in the league have scored more goals than Robertson`s 110. He is a dominant offensive force capable of creating scoring chances off the rush. A major draw is his age; at just 25, Robertson has already achieved two 40-goal seasons. Players of this caliber are rarely available in their prime. If Robertson is indeed on the market, Toronto`s GM should be actively pursuing discussions with Dallas GM Jim Nill.
Trade Target: Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche)
Although the Colorado Avalanche acquired Martin Necas relatively recently (mid-last season), he is entering the final year of his contract. Colorado GM Joe Sakic is known for being willing to move key players if contract negotiations stall significantly. If the Avalanche believe they cannot sign Necas to an extension that could approach $10 million per year, the skilled winger might be traded again.
Should Necas become available, Toronto appears to be an ideal destination. After joining Colorado, Necas played alongside Nathan MacKinnon, recording 11 goals and 17 assists in 30 games. Furthermore, the Avalanche performed exceptionally well at five-on-five with Necas on the ice. In Toronto, Necas could potentially play on a line with Auston Matthews, forming a formidable duo given Necas`s playmaking abilities and Matthews` elite shooting talent.
Free Agent Option: Nikolaj Ehlers
Perhaps one of the league`s more underutilized forwards, Nikolaj Ehlers is among the top names available in free agency. His exceptional speed and offensive intelligence make him a very attractive option for the Maple Leafs following Marner`s departure.
In each of the last three seasons, Ehlers has been used sparingly, playing less than 16 minutes per game. Despite this limited ice time, he managed to exceed 60 points in both of the last two years, demonstrating incredibly efficient production. This high level of skill is undoubtedly enticing for Toronto, especially with established forwards like Matthews, Knies, and William Nylander already on the roster. Ehlers` production could potentially skyrocket if given a more prominent role with the Leafs.
Free Agent Option: Brock Boeser
While Brock Boeser may not offer the same high-end playmaking as Marner or others on this list, he provides significant goal-scoring ability. He has consistently scored at a 20-goal pace throughout his full NHL seasons and reached the 40-goal milestone in 2023-24. This kind of scoring output would directly help compensate for some of the goals lost with Marner`s trade.
Boeser is known for being a streaky scorer, but when he`s hot, he can score in bunches. Two seasons ago, he maintained a high level of production, netting 40 goals in 81 games. The prospect of pairing Matthews and Boeser, two players known for their powerful shots, is quite exciting. Like several other free agents this period, Boeser might command a contract value exceeding his typical production, but the Leafs certainly need another forward capable of playing in their top six.
