During this NHL offseason, there have been numerous rumors suggesting that the Toronto Maple Leafs might trade Mitch Marner. The team has struggled to achieve a deep playoff run with Marner so far, and his high salary makes him a prime candidate for a trade to relieve cap space and potentially acquire valuable prospects or young players.

However, before the Maple Leafs hastily trade the 27-year-old star, they should consider the experiences of two other young NHL stars, Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk.

Eichel, after several seasons with the Buffalo Sabres without making the playoffs, was traded to the Las Vegas Golden Knights following a disagreement over a medical procedure for his neck injury. Eichel then led the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup in 2023, topping the playoffs in scoring with 26 points.

Similarly, Tkachuk, then with the Calgary Flames under current Leafs GM Brad Treliving, requested a trade after indicating he wouldn’t sign a long-term extension. The Flames traded him to the Florida Panthers during the 2022 offseason. Tkachuk subsequently led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in his second season with the team, helping them win the championship and tying for the team lead in playoff scoring with 22 points in 24 games.

Both Eichel and Tkachuk secured Stanley Cup victories shortly after their trades, suggesting a pattern where traded young stars find success. The Leafs might risk seeing Marner lead his new team to a championship if they trade him. Fortunately for the Leafs, Marner has not expressed a desire to leave or shown any discord with the team’s management.