Leafs Could Target Doan, Durzi in Marner Trade With Utah – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Arizona Coyotes will no longer be a team heading into the 2024-25 season as they come under new ownership and move to Utah. Although this new Utah team does not have a name yet, it is expected that they will be running their franchise differently in hopes of competing quickly, rather than continuing to rebuild. With that being said, it should be an exciting season this summer as Utah has plenty of money to spend on players, and has the assets to make a big move if they choose to try to compete right away. One player they can follow if they want to go all-in in their first season is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, and will look to make some changes in hopes of a different outcome next season. While Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares aren't going anywhere, Marner remains the odd man out and could find himself shaken up by the Maple Leafs if they want to shake up their roster. He is a star player that any club would like to sell him to, but bringing him in could be difficult due to the no-movement clause (NMC) in his contract, as well as the uncertainty of his future just like his current deal. expires after the 2024-25 season.

Utah will be looking to keep fans coming back and bring in new ones as they go through this transition, and bringing in a guy like Marner could be the answer and could help elevate them to a playoff team. While one player doesn't make a team, Marner is a dominant difference maker on both ends of the ice. If he is open to a trade to Utah and they are willing to move some assets to bring him in, they should try to make something happen sooner rather than later.

Maple Leafs May Point to Doan, Durzi in Recovery

While Marner's trade package would be larger if he didn't have NMC, the Maple Leafs could still get a solid asset back in a trade with Utah. In fact, the trade between the two looks like Utah getting Marner in exchange for Josh Doan, Sean Durzi, and a 2025 first-round draft pick. It may not seem like much since the team has to get back a player of his caliber, but he has the right to choose where and when he will be traded, thus giving Utah some leverage. Even with some potential, this looks like a fair trade package for both parties.

Related: Maple Leafs Could Target Golden Knights' Theodore Thompson in Marner Deal

Doan is 22 years old and the son of former NHLer Shane Doan. He played in 11 NHL games last season but scored five goals and added four assists for nine points, proving that he is ready to jump into the NHL full time next season. Durzi is 25 years old and would add depth to the Maple Leafs weak defensive line. He scored nine goals and added 32 assists for 41 points in 76 games last season, while being one of the Coyotes' most consistent defenders. He is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so he will have to negotiate a new deal with the Maple Leafs, but that shouldn't be a problem.

The Maple Leafs will look very different next season, whether they choose to trade Marner or not. They have some tough decisions to make between the pipes, as well as on their blue line before they even consider releasing an elite option like Marner. However, I fully expect him to be traded this season, and Utah seems like a solid fit. Hopefully, the Maple Leafs can make a strong comeback like the one I mentioned above and find themselves doing enough to make the playoffs next season.