The `Core Four` era in Toronto has ended. Mitch Marner has been traded to the Vegas Golden Knights via a sign-and-trade, and the Maple Leafs must act quickly to find a player to fill the void he leaves behind.
Replacing Marner`s impact will be a significant challenge. He is a consistent 100-point scorer, plays reliable defense, and contributes effectively to all special teams units. The Leafs won`t find a single player who can replicate all of this, but they can lessen the effect of his departure through a combination of pieces.
One potential solution is already on the roster and signed for the next six years. Matthew Knies possesses the potential for significant growth, but he alone cannot fully replace Marner`s contributions. Fortunately for Toronto, several clear options exist on the trade market and in free agency.
Two dynamic young forwards in the Western Conference might be available before the 2025-26 season, and either would be an excellent fit for the Maple Leafs. Additionally, free agency, which commences Tuesday at noon ET, presents a few more players Toronto should consider targeting.
Let`s examine how the Maple Leafs can attempt to replace Marner`s offensive production and overall impact.
Matthew Knies, LW, Maple Leafs
Regardless of other moves the Maple Leafs make to address Marner`s departure, Matthew Knies`s continued development is crucial. Marner vacates a significant portion of the team`s scoring, requiring multiple players to step up, and Knies is expected to be one of them.
At 22 years old, Knies had a breakthrough season with 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games. He is on an upward trajectory, and there is optimism that he could reach the 40-goal mark in the coming years. This is certainly what the Leafs are banking on, having just signed him to a six-year contract worth $7.75 million per season. The key question is whether Knies can maintain his progress and avoid stagnation when asked to take on a larger role.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Jason Robertson represents perhaps the most intriguing possibility for the Maple Leafs. The Stars have limited cap space, with less than one million dollars remaining and only 10 forwards currently rostered. This financial constraint suggests that Robertson, with his $7.75 million cap hit, could be moved, particularly as he will require a new contract next summer.
Over the past three seasons, only 15 players 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 that Robertson has already achieved 40 goals twice, despite being only 25. Players of this caliber are rarely available during their prime, and if Robertson is indeed on the market, Toronto`s GM Brad Treliving should be in constant contact with Stars GM Jim Nill.
Martin Necas, RW, Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche acquired Martin Necas midway through last season. However, he is entering the final year of his contract, and Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland is known to be willing to trade key players if contract negotiations reach an impasse. If Colorado believes they cannot sign Necas to a new deal that might approach $10 million per year, the skilled winger could potentially be on the move again.
Should Necas become available, Toronto would be an excellent landing spot. After joining Colorado last year, Necas played alongside Nathan MacKinnon, recording 11 goals and 17 assists in 30 games. Furthermore, Colorado was highly effective at five-on-five with Necas on the ice. With the Maple Leafs, Necas could potentially play on a line with Auston Matthews, forming a potent duo given Necas`s playmaking abilities and Matthews` exceptional shooting talent.Nikolaj Ehlers, LW
Nikolaj Ehlers is arguably one of the league`s most underutilized forwards and stands out as a top name in free agency. His combination of speed and offensive intelligence is elite, making him a highly attractive option for the Maple Leafs following Marner`s departure.
In each of the last three seasons, Ehlers has seen relatively limited ice time, playing less than 16 minutes per game. Despite this, he managed to exceed 60 points in the last two seasons, producing at an exceptional rate when on the ice. This level of skill is undoubtedly appealing to Toronto, especially with Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and William Nylander already in the lineup. Ehlers`s production could potentially skyrocket in a Leafs uniform with more opportunity.
Brock Boeser, RW
While Brock Boeser may not possess the same level of playmaking ability as Marner or the other players previously mentioned, he offers significant goal-scoring prowess. He has consistently scored at a 20-goal pace or better in his full NHL seasons, reaching a career-high of 40 goals in 2023-24. This scoring ability would help offset some of the offense lost with Marner`s trade.
Boeser is known to be a streaky scorer, but when he`s hot, he can score goals in bunches. Two seasons ago, he maintained a high level of production consistently, netting 40 goals in 81 games. The prospect of pairing Matthews and Boeser, two players with powerful shots, is quite exciting. Like several other players this free agency period, Boeser`s next contract might slightly exceed his typical production value, but Toronto is clearly in need of another impact forward in their top six.
