There has been considerable discussion this summer regarding Mitch Marner’s future. The forward, who is in the final year of his contract, faced significant backlash from fans following the team’s playoff exit in the spring.

Rumors swirled throughout the NHL, but ultimately, he remained in Toronto.

However, just because he’s still with the Maple Leafs doesn’t guarantee his long-term future there. He hasn’t secured a contract extension and often declines to comment on his contract situation when questioned by reporters.

In essence, there’s a possibility that Marner could depart Toronto on July 1, and the team might utilize that salary to strengthen other areas.

In a recent episode of the Radar podcast (BPM Sports), Pierre LeBrun suggested a scenario where the funds could be allocated to sign Igor Shesterkin:

“If the Leafs lose again in the first round, Igor Shesterkin is on the market and Mitch Marner hasn’t signed yet,” said LeBrun.

This scenario remains quite hypothetical. Currently, the Rangers are willing to offer over $10.5 million annually to keep Shesterkin, yet no agreement has been reached as of now.

The goalie prefers to resolve his contract before the season begins, wanting to avoid negotiations during the regular season.

According to LeBrun’s scenario, the Leafs would need to make a significant move. By freeing up Marner’s salary (and possibly John Tavares’ if he agrees to a reduced deal), they would gain flexibility. If Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz do not perform adequately, the goaltending issue will continue.

This opens the door to the possibility of pursuing Shesterkin, considered one of the NHL’s top goalies, especially in the playoffs, which could be appealing for Toronto.

While this scenario is still distant, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. The Leafs would have to invest heavily in a goalie like Shesterkin, but the organization has demonstrated a willingness to spend significantly on elite players, making it plausible that such funds would be better allocated across different positions with Shesterkin in the lineup.