(Glenn James/Getty Images)
After another Western Conference Finals defeat in six games, the Dallas Stars have been unable to get over the hump. This off-season can determine if they can next year. If there is a move for a player that can potentially get them over, it’s trading for Mitchell Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Dallas Stars have key free agents that they will have to determine whether or not to bring them back. Some of the unrestricted free agents include Chris Tanev, Matt Duchene, Joe Pavelski, Scott Wedgewood and Jani Hakanpää. Some of the restricted free agents include Nils Lundkvist, Thomas Harley, Sam Steel and Ty Dellandrea.
After next season, the contracts of Jamie Benn, Esa Lindell, Ryan Suter, Evgenii Dadonov, Radek Faksa, Wyatt Johnston and Jake Oettinger run out too.
So why trade for Marner? In his eight seasons in Toronto, Marner has recorded 639 points (194G, 445A) in 576 games played. Marner has had three 90-point seasons. This season, Marner had the third most points on the Maple Leafs with 85 and led the team with 59 assists. Dallas would get a key point scorer that needs to be added to the lineup to get over the hump.
Another reason is the Maple Leafs’ futute looks uncertain. John Klingberg, Matt Murray, Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, TJ Brodie, Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi and Mark Giordano are all unrestricted free agents. John Tavares and Jake McCabe each have one more year left on their contracts.
Yes, Marner has one year left on his contract at $10.903 million, but if Dallas could make a trade for him and give an extension, it can work. Also, Toronto might want to clear up cap space and with another first round exit this season against the Bruins, Marner might be looking to leave the Maple Leafs and have a fresh start with a new team.
During Game 4 of the 2024 first round, Marner was in a heated bench incident with Auston Matthews and William Nylander. In the end, Marner was seen throwing his gloves.
Another superstar player was traded by the Maple Leafs to a Cup contending team in 2015 when the team traded Phil Kessel to the Penguins. In his first two seasons with the Penguins, Kessel was a key part of the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
How much will it cost Dallas? It won’t be easy, but a trade for Marner could costs some players and a few draft picks.
One proposed deal:
DAL receives Marner and 2025 fifth-round pick
TOR receives Mason Marchment, Faksa, Matěj Blümel, 2025 first-round pick and third-round pick
Marchment has two years left on his contract and Blumel is a restricted free agent this Summer the Stars will look to resign for depth.
Stars general manager Jim Nill could work his magic and get Marner for less. In 2014, the Stars made a blockbuster deal with the Senators for Jason Spezza in Nill’s second season as general manager after the Stars were eliminated by the Ducks in the 2014 first round.
(Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)
This Summer, the Stars will look to find a player to get them over the hump to win the 2025 Stanley Cup. Marner will be a player to keep an eye on all Summer on potential trades.
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