A proposed trade has Mitch Marner heading to the Pittsburgh Penguins, despite the Toronto Maple Leafs suggesting they might shake up their core four this offseason. Marner, who is entering the final year of his six-year $65.4 million contract, has been the focus of trade speculation. A new tool on PuckPedia called PuckGM allows users to suggest trades, and one proposal suggests sending Marner to the Penguins in exchange for a multi-player package.

In this deal, the Maple Leafs would receive:

– Lars Eller
– Brayden Yager
– A 2025 first-round pick
– A 2026 first-round pick

The Penguins would get:

– Mitch Marner (with $5.5 million of his salary retained)

This trade would give Toronto a more future-oriented return, including top prospect Brayden Yager, whom the Penguins drafted in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Additionally, Toronto would gain two future first-round picks and depth in their bottom six with Lars Eller.

For Pittsburgh, acquiring Marner would add a talented winger to their roster, potentially boosting their power play, which was among the least effective in the NHL last season. Marner could play on the top line with Sidney Crosby, as the Penguins aim to make one last push for the Stanley Cup with their veteran roster.

Although former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, who signed Marner to his current contract, has not shown clear interest in reuniting with him, his focus has been on injecting younger talent into the Penguins’ lineup. Dubas has expressed a desire to accumulate young players, prospects, and draft picks to rebuild the team quickly.

Despite ongoing trade rumors, it is anticipated that Marner will remain with the Maple Leafs for the upcoming season. New head coach Craig Berube, who was recently hired by Toronto, has expressed enthusiasm about coaching Marner, praising his character and looking forward to working with him.

Marner, drafted fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Draft, has played 576 games for Toronto, recording 194 goals, 445 assists, and 639 points.