After Mitch Marner’s move to Vegas, Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs have clear shot at $25M Kraken star

Auston Matthews‘ Toronto Maple Leafs may have a second chance at landing a player they once technically acquired but never got to see in action. With the Seattle Kraken reportedly shopping forward Jared McCann, Toronto is now positioned to make a serious push for the $25 million winger, who could fill the void left by Mitch Marner.

Ever since Marner was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs have been searching for a reliable top-six replacement. While the recent additions of Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy offer promising depth, general manager Brad Treliving has acknowledged that the team still lacks a premier offensive threat up front.

Now, with McCann emerging as a legitimate trade option, the path forward is starting to take shape. This time, the opportunity to bring him to Toronto may actually stick—and fill a critical need on Auston Matthews’ roster.

McCann once slipped through Toronto’s fingers

According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, McCann’s name has resurfaced in trade talks, with Seattle actively listening to offers.David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period corroborated the development, adding that the Kraken are indeed open to moving the forward.

Jared McCann #19 of the Seattle Kraken skates against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center on March 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“Jared McCann is another name to look at in Seattle. His name started to pop around the trade deadline and he’s still available,” Pagnotta said. “He’s got at least two years left on his deal, and we’re hearing Seattle is open to moving him.”

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McCann, of course, has a unique history with Toronto. In 2021, the Leafs acquired him just days before the expansion draft, only to leave him unprotected in favor of defenseman Justin Holl. McCann was promptly selected by the Kraken and never played a game in blue and white.

Cap space and contract details: Is it workable?

McCann currently carries a team-friendly cap hit of $5 million through the 2026–27 season—a manageable figure for a forward with proven top-six scoring ability. Last season, he posted 29 goals and 64 points, marking his second straight year as one of Seattle’s offensive leaders.

Toronto’s current cap situation is tight, with just under $5 million in space. That means a corresponding move would likely be necessary to accommodate McCann’s salary. Among the most likely candidates to be moved is Max Domi, whose $3.75 million cap hit makes him a practical trade chip if the Leafs want to shift funds.

While any deal would likely involve multiple pieces, including possible draft capital or prospects, McCann fits the mold of what Toronto has been missing: a fast, skilled winger who can finish and play with pace alongside Matthews or John Tavares.

A full-circle moment for McCann?

After being traded away before ever suiting up, McCann could now return to the team that once gave him a brief home—only this time with a prominent role and renewed expectations. For a franchise looking to retool on the fly and stay competitive in the Atlantic Division, it may be the right time to make a bold move.

Toronto’s pursuit of a new identity in the post-Marner era continues, and a player like McCann could serve as both a symbolic and strategic upgrade. Four years after being briefly part of the Leafs’ system, fate might finally bring him back—for real this time.