BREAKING NEWS: Montreal Canadiens have reached agreement with with Maples Leaf to sign Mitch Marner

The winds of change are blowing in Toronto, and all signs are pointing to the end of the Mitch Marner era with the Maple Leafs. After years of playoff frustration and another early postseason exit, sources around the league are beginning to believe that Marner could soon be wearing a different sweater possibly that of a bitter rival.

According to multiple NHL insiders, the 27-year-old winger is predicted to leave Toronto as early as this offseason, either through a blockbuster trade or by playing out the final year of his deal before signing a long-term contract with a new team in 2026. One emerging possibility? A deal just shy of \$100 million over eight years likely with an Eastern Conference powerhouse that has the cap space and competitive ambition to pursue one of the NHL’s most dynamic forwards.

Marner, who posted 85 points in 77 games this past season, remains one of the most gifted playmakers in the league. But his tenure in Toronto has been clouded by criticism over postseason performance and questions about the team’s core construction. With general manager Brad Treliving reportedly open to “tough conversations,” and Marner holding a full no-movement clause, a trade would likely require the forward’s consent but several teams are said to be on his radar.

Among them? The New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and perhaps most surprisingly, the Boston Bruins. The latter would mark a dramatic turn, with Marner potentially switching allegiances in one of the NHL’s most storied rivalries. Boston, armed with projected cap flexibility and in need of top-six scoring, could be a stealth contender for Marner’s services either through trade or next summer in free agency.

A deal approaching \$12 million per year may sound steep, but for a player of Marner’s caliber and marketability it’s not out of the question. His next contract could mirror the likes of Artemi Panarin or David Pastrňák, and given the rising salary cap, teams are prepared to spend.

If the Leafs do indeed move on from Marner, it will mark the end of an era but perhaps the beginning of a better-balanced roster. For now, the hockey world watches closely, knowing one of its most high-profile stars could soon be playing for a bitter rival, with a nearly nine-figure contract in tow.