With the free agent market nearly empty two weeks into July, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers find themselves in similar positions, needing to address final roster needs for the 2024-25 season.

The Rangers are in search of a bona fide top-line right winger to pair with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Conversely, the Maple Leafs need depth in their defense corps but have an excess of forwards.

Interestingly, both teams might find a solution by trading players who fit each other’s needs: right winger Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs and right defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Rangers.

A Heavy Sports trade proposal suggests that New York could acquire the top-line forward they need, while Toronto would receive a defenseman who could bolster their second pair.

Rangers receive:
– Mitch Marner

Maple Leafs receive:
– Jacob Trouba

For this trade to occur, both players would need to approve the transaction. Marner has a full no-move clause in his contract, and Trouba has a 15-team no-trade list, which would require him to exclude Toronto from this list.

Financially, this trade makes sense for both teams. According to PuckPedia, a one-for-one trade would be feasible, with the Leafs gaining $3.8 million in cap space, and the Rangers being able to absorb the difference with their $5.1 million in cap space before the trade.

 Rangers Looking to Move On From Jacob Trouba

The Rangers have requested Jacob Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list ahead of free agency, as reported by Arthur Staple of The Athletic on June 27. A trade with the Detroit Red Wings was reportedly in the works during draft weekend but was blocked by Trouba, who included Detroit in his no-trade list.

Trouba scored 3 goals and 19 assists for 22 points in 69 regular-season games in 2024 and added 1 goal and 6 assists in 16 postseason contests. He has two years remaining on his seven-year, $56 million contract. Staple and Peter Baugh have listed the Maple Leafs as a top trade fit for Trouba, noting that big, right-shot defensemen like him always attract interest.

However, for a trade to Toronto, Trouba would need to remove the Leafs from his no-trade list.

 Mitch Marner’s Future with the Maple Leafs

Rumors about Marner’s future in Toronto have been swirling, with the possibility of a trade being discussed. Marner is entering the final season of his six-year, $65.4 million contract.

According to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, a Marner trade could occur by mid-July. However, Marner has expressed his desire to stay in Toronto long-term. During his end-of-season availability on May 6, he stated, “I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city. Obviously, I’ve grown up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out… It means the world to me.”

Leafs general manager Brad Treliving cautioned fans and reporters about the speculation surrounding Marner, emphasizing that the team is considering all options to improve.