SIMMONS: Why the Leafs Must Let Go of Marner and Tavares to Move Forward
Brad Treliving has limitations as a general manager that he must adhere to, regardless of who ends up leading the Maple Leafs this summer.
He can’t resurrect both Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
He can’t perform that action and anticipate any genuine transformation within the Maple Leafs organization.
Tavares has spent seven fruitful regular seasons with the Leafs, making things pleasant and fairly consistent. However, what remains predictably disappointing is his underperformance in crucial matches and extended playoff runs, particularly when the stakes were highest for the Maple Leafs’ postseason hopes.
During his seven-year span, he played relatively healthy hockey for six of those seasons. In the six elimination-game losses against Florida, Boston, Columbus, and Tampa Bay, Tavares was able to score one goal and contribute with one assist.
He managed to score only one time as an offensive stalwart, someone who excelled particularly with power plays and was often a point-per-game player throughout much of his career. However, this wasn’t in crucial matches or during high-pressure situations.
If the Leafs want to bring Tavares back —
and it’s clear this is where he wants to play
— Then, having him come back as a third-line center could make some sense, depending on the cost. If the aim is to push this hockey team further than their performance this season, bringing Tavares back as the Leafs’ second-line center makes no sense at all.
The place where the Leafs ended up was not as disheartening as the manner in which they concluded their season. They participated in 13 playoff matches, more than any other time during Brendan Shanahan’s tenure. This marks the highest number of postseason games for the team in 21 years. Thus, this figure is quite positive.
The poor result: How they faltered. The 6-1 defeat in Game 7 at their own arena. The 6-1 loss in Game 5 back home again. Trainer Craig Berube maintains that the team’s formation crumbled in these matches, yet what truly disintegrated was their eagerness to fight.
That isn’t about the process or design; it’s about passion. When things got challenging, the Leafs ceased putting up a fight.
In the interview room where Coach Berube spoke on Tuesday, the phrase “No grit. No grind. No greatness.” was displayed on the wall.
Might have used two additional words: No way.
Or this version: No grit, no grind, no Marner next season.
Over nine enlightening seasons, Marner has been an impressive regular-season player for the Leafs. He certainly possesses extraordinary talent—indeed, he stands out as exceptional. His initial nine years with the team stack up well against Mats Sundin’s first nine seasons in Toronto, which makes this a Hall of Fame-level comparison.
But a regular-season comparison.
During crucial matches and high-stakes moments, particularly in important games, is often when you search for Marner and strain your eyes trying to locate him. Throughout his nine playoff campaigns spanning all nine of his NHL seasons, Marner remains without a single goal scored in those decisive nine postseason contests.
Currently, he isn’t primarily known as a goal scorer. Instead, he excels as a playmaker, possessing powerful offensive capabilities and remarkable talent coupled with outstanding vision and style. During those nine matches, he managed to contribute two assists.
In nine crucial end-of-season matches, he managed only two assists. He didn’t score any goals and had just two assists. Given his status as a potential 100-point player, this isn’t nearly sufficient justification for paying him $13 million or $14 million with expectations of improvement over last season or the seasons prior.
When Treliving discovered Mikko Rantanen might be available in March, he looked into potentially trading Marner before the deadline. However, Rantanen ended up going to Dallas instead. Marner declined the trade request, as was within his rights.
Either Marner will be traded for nearly nothing or he’ll depart through free agency since he has earned this opportunity. Losing free agents isn’t considered such a significant setback anymore; cap space holds nearly the same value as compensating players directly.
Should Marner and Tavares depart on July 1, this would provide Treliving with an additional $22 million at his disposal that he wouldn’t normally possess.
He hasn’t experienced that level of freedom to spend money since moving to Toronto.
While this might not be an abundant class of free agents, it still offers several promising options. If your aim is to fill the void left by Marner and Tavares upfront, you don’t necessarily have to invest in two $11 million players. Perhaps you could allocate that budget across three or even four players instead.
Treliving needs to look into the situation with Sam Bennett and the Florida Panthers—Bennett was selected by Treliving but later traded away as part of what could be considered the worst trade of his tenure as general manager. Should he become available in July, the Leafs must consider making an offer.
This might also apply to seasoned Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who caused significant trouble for the Leafs during the second round of the playoffs. Should the Leafs manage to attract players like Ekblad or Bennett—or possibly both—to join their team in Toronto, this could significantly alter and enhance their lineup. Such changes would likely prove beneficial as they aim to improve their performance in upcoming playoff runs.
Bennett hails from near Toronto. Ekblad, who grew up in Windsor, played his junior hockey in Barrie. It remains unclear if the Panthers possess sufficient funds to re-sign either one of them.
Treliving would have to look at Bennett and Ekblad, and depending on who might be available, there are others such as Nik Ehlers and
Brock Boeser
in free agency.
For less money, you may consider looking into players like Patrick Kane or Brad Marchand, who could serve as pricier yet more multifaceted alternatives to the probably retiring Max Pacioretty.
Treliving needs to sort everything out within a month.
The Maple Leafs have experienced nine seasons with Marner and seven seasons with Tavares without achieving a playoff breakthrough. This reliance cannot continue indefinitely.
There has been neither grit, nor grind, nor greatness for far too many seasons now.
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