The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a pivotal off-season as they navigate the complexities of contract negotiations with key players. With just four months remaining before free agency opens, the team's management is focused primarily on the future of star forward Mitch Marner. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs will delay contract offers to pending unrestricted free agents John Tavares and Steven Lorentz until they determine whether they can re-sign Marner or need to find suitable replacements.
Marner, 27, is in the final year of a lucrative six-year, $65.4 million deal. As of March 27, 2025, he has been performing at an impressive point-per-game pace, accumulating 89 points in 71 games this season. If he enters free agency on July 1, 2025, he is expected to command a significant raise, with estimates suggesting he could seek a contract worth between $13 million and $14 million annually.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been vocal in his support for Marner, even after the team attempted to trade him at the recent trade deadline. This move reportedly forced Marner to refuse to waive his no-move clause ahead of March 8, 2025. Treliving’s commitment to Marner suggests that the team is prioritizing his retention, which will directly impact the future of other players.
John Tavares, the former team captain, is also in a precarious situation as he plays out the final season of his seven-year, $77 million contract. Tavares has contributed significantly this season, scoring 33 goals and amassing 67 points in 65 games. However, the Leafs are not in a rush to extend his contract, with Kypreos indicating that Tavares’s future with the team hinges on the outcome of negotiations with Marner.
Meanwhile, Steven Lorentz, who is currently on a one-year deal worth $775,000, finds himself in a similar wait-and-see position. He has played in 69 games this season, contributing 16 points and six goals. The uncertainty surrounding Marner's contract could also influence Lorentz's chances of remaining with the Maple Leafs.
In light of the trade deadline, where speculation about player movements ran rampant, Treliving has clarified the team's approach to negotiating extensions for both Marner and Matthew Knies. Despite both players expressing a desire to stay in Toronto, the organization has taken a cautious approach, slow-playing negotiations for all four players: Marner, Tavares, Lorentz, and Knies.
In December 2024, Kypreos reported that the Leafs were keen on securing an extension for Lorentz, but the current strategy appears to be to hold off on addressing any expiring contracts until the end of the season. This decision allows the team to weigh its options carefully, including potential short-term deals for Knies, who has been labeled a “unicorn” by Kypreos due to his unique skill set.
“From Toronto's perspective, a bridge deal might be best while they figure out where Knies' ceiling truly lies,” Kypreos wrote. “A four-year deal in the $25 million to $30 million range may not be what Knies wants, but could leave him hungry enough for the next payday.”
As the Maple Leafs continue their pursuit of a top spot in the Atlantic Division, the urgency surrounding contract negotiations is palpable. With less than a dozen games remaining in the regular season, the team is not only focused on securing home-ice advantage for the playoffs but also on the looming decisions that will shape their roster for years to come.
Regardless of how the Leafs fare in the post-season, the weeks leading up to July 1st are expected to be hectic for Treliving and the management team. The outcome of their negotiations with Marner, Tavares, Lorentz, and Knies will significantly impact the franchise's future direction.
As the off-season approaches, fans are left wondering how the Maple Leafs will balance the need to retain their star players while also considering the financial implications of potential new signings. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on as the organization aims to build a championship-caliber team.
