Elliotte Friedman comments on off-season Mitch Marner trade

In a decisive shift toward a rebuild, the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by GM Kyle Dubas, are positioning themselves for a significant roster overhaul. With the Penguins sidelined from the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, Dubas, leveraging his deep connections and insights from his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is eyeing a strategic acquisition that could redefine their forward lineup: Mitch Marner.

The narrative brewing around Marner is charged with anticipation. As the Leafs face another disappointing playoff exit, whispers of a potential Marner trade have surfaced, suggesting that the star forward might be willing to waive his no-trade clause as he approaches the final year of his contract. The Penguins, keen on leveraging Toronto's urgency to shuffle their roster, could be the prime candidates to clinch a deal that would bring Marner's prowess to Pittsburgh.

Elliotte Friedman, on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, shed light on Toronto's strategy, noting their interest in bolstering their defensive lineup.

However, he suggested that a defenseman would likely be included in any deal for Marner. Enter Ryan Graves from the Penguins�a potential piece in this complex puzzle. By moving Graves, Pittsburgh could not only address Toronto's defensive needs but also offload some salary cap, making room for Marner's hefty $11 million cap hit.

Meanwhile, the goaltending saga adds another layer of intrigue to the trade dynamics. With Joseph Woll poised to be Toronto's emerging netminder after Ilya Samsonov's playoff fumbles, and Pittsburgh's own crease crowded with Alex Nedeljkovic, Tristian Jarry, and the up-and-coming Joel Blomqvist, a goalie could also be on the trading block. Could Jarry be part of this grand scheme, paving the way for Nedeljkovic to step up and Blomqvist to rise as backup?

This perspective hints at the Leafs' readiness to accept a less favorable deal, underscoring their urgency to reshape their roster for better future prospects.

This potential trade could signify a win-win for both teams: Pittsburgh secures a top-tier forward while enabling Toronto to recalibrate with new defensive and goaltending solutions. As the off-season progresses, all eyes will be on these two teams, with the hockey world eager to see if this blockbuster deal will come to fruition.

As Read On: The Hockey News - Penguins Have Pieces for Blockbuster Mitch Marner Trade

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