This afternoon a new scenario has been presented by NHL insider Pierre LeBrun that would see Mitch Marner leave Toronto being replaced by Igor Shesterkin. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner have had a rocky relationship over the last season. Heading into the 2024-25 season Mitch Marner has an expiring contract. With his contract up at the end of the season speculation about his future is at an all-time high. Today a new segment on TSN involving insider Pierre LeBrun was the setting for discussion on the future of Mitch Marner. In the segment, Pierre LeBrun revealed that if Mitch Marner makes it to free agency the Maple Leafs could be willing to let him leave. With the vacated salary cap space Pierre LeBrun suggested the Maple Leafs could take a run at Igor Shesterkin. <q>I'll put this to you three before we wrap up and you have to give me your true answer on this. Let's make this about the Leafs, LeBrun said on TSN's OverDrive'. «If the Leafs get bounced out in the first round and Marner hasn't signed yet, and Shesterkin hasn't signed yet, and it's July 1, and you are the Leafs and you got a shot at either one, what do you do?</q> This scenario of course is a full season away with contracts expiring on July 1st of 2025. Despite being so far away speculation can still begin over whether or not the Maple Leafs should try to retain Mitch Marner. <h3>Should the Toronto Maple Leafs try and re-sign Mitch Marner if he goes to free agency?</h3> At this point of the NHL season, an extension between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner seems unlikely. The two sides are not close to a deal and the fans have seemed to turn on Mitch Marner. With this in mind does it make sense for the Maple Leafs to try and re-sign Mitch Marner if he hits free agency? Mitch Marner has been a cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alongside Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander he has become known as part of the core four. At his best Mitch Marner is a 30 goals and near 100-point player. Despite the offensive success Mitch Marner requires a huge payday for a winger and has had issues with effort and defense. Beyond that, his perception from the fan base is currently as low as it ever has been. If a player like Igor Shesterkin makes it to free agency without an extension he should be a top target for the Maple Leafs. Letting Mitch Marner go the Maple Leafs have several highly respected young players waiting for an opportunity to get big-time minutes. The Maple Leafs do not have a Vezina Trophy-caliber goaltender in their organization. If the Toronto Maple Leafs have even a possibility of signing Igor Shesterkin by letting Mitch Marner go then it is a risk they have to take. If they swing and miss on Igor Shesterkin then the salary cap space remains to acquire a forward to replace Mitch Marner in free agency or a trade if the Maple Leafs feel compelled to do so. Once the NHL season gets underway the longer each of Mitch Marner and Igor Shesterkin stay unsigned the more likely they will hit free agency. As more reports come out regarding these two players we will pass them along to you. Source: Hockey Patrol <a href='https://www.hockeypatrol.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/nhl-insider-pierre-lebrun-hints-at-potential-mitch-marner-trade-for-elite-goaltender' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun Hints at Potential Mitch Marner Trade for Elite Goaltender</a>