The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a major blow after losing Mitch Marner. Now, with the goal of keeping Auston Matthews in the championship hunt, the team’s front office needs to respond.
Last season, hopes of winning a Stanley Cup resurfaced during the playoffs, but the dream ended in the second round with a seven-game loss to Brad Marchand and Florida.
The big question is whether, after Marner’s departure, the Leafs will find the ideal replacement to keep Toronto as a contender to dethrone the Panthers. One name in particular has surprisingly emerged.
Will Leafs sign Nino Niederreiter?
Nino Niederreiter has become a trending topic on social media, especially in Canada, after trade rumors linked him as a potential replacement for Mitch Marner on the Maple Leafs. Jeremy Tingly is the one who put forward that proposal.
“With Nikolaj Ehlers off to Carolina, the Jets would need a return of some help on the wing if Niederreiter was moved. So, perhaps Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann would be of interest. Niederreiter scored 17 goals last season, in a down year, and has the potential to bounce back in 2025-26. He had a solid playoffs for the Jets. At $4 million for just two more years, it wouldn’t be a massive gamble for Treliving. It’s just going to come down to what type of return Treliving is willing to offer Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, and if Winnipeg is still going to be active on the free-agent market, with their remaining $19 million in cap space.”