The Toronto Maple Leafs could explore the trade market to replace some pending free agents to keep the team competitive.
The free agent market doesn’t have a ton of high-impact players, and Toronto has to replace Mitch Marner. With that, the Maple Leafs could explore the trade market in hopes of replacing Marner.
If Toronto does explore the trade market, NHL analyst Anthony Petrielli of MapleLeafsHotStove links the Maple Leafs to trading for Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils.
“He’s played some center,” Petrielli wrote. “I’d be curious to see the Leafs stick him at center for half a season alongside William Nylander and evaluate his progress. Mercer could keep up with Nylander, and he could put the puck in the net when given the opportunity, but could those two cut it together defensively?
“Young players who can skate and put the puck in the net are enticing any way you slice it,” Petrielli added. “Mercer is still young enough to believe there’s a bit more to unearth. In general, I like the idea of adding more youth to the Leafs’ top nine.”
Mercer has two years left on his three-year, $12 million deal with the Devils. The 23-year-old was selected 18th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Mercer would be a top-six forward for the Maple Leafs and add some more offense to the lineup. Last season with the Devils, he recorded 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 82 games. His career-high is 56 points.
Insider: Mercer on Trade Block
Mercer being traded would be a surprise, but NHL insider Nick Kypreos believes New Jersey is open to moving him.
Kypreos put Mercer on his most recent off-season trade bait board as he believes Mercer could use a change of scenery.
“GM Tom Fitzgerald vowed to find more offence this summer and that he wouldn’t return with the same group of players in 2025-25,” Kypreos wrote. “Erik Haula has already been moved out, traded to the Predators last week. But we should expect more from the Devils.
“Dawson Mercer appeared on my last trade list and remains there in our second look to the off-season,” Kypreos added. “This is a player who will turn just 24 early next NHL season and is still full of potential. So there will be a market for him. But he’s now two years removed from a 27-goal, 56-point breakout season. After failing to hit the 20-goal plateau in 2024-25, he might be a player the Devils try and use to find a better roster fit.”
Mercer has taken a step back, which is why the Devils may look to move him and get something back for him.
Maple Leafs GM Expects Marner to Hit Free Agency
Toronto is facing a pivotal offseason as Marner is likely to depart in free agency.
Ahead of the NHL Draft, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke to the media and gave a bleak update on the future of Marner in Toronto.
“I wouldn’t say a whole lot has changed right now. We’ve had communication… Unless there’s a significant change here, I would anticipate he’s going to hit the market. And we’ll see where things go,” Treliving said.
Marner recorded 27 goals and 75 assists for 102 points in 81 games last season.
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