The Toronto Maple Leafs dodged a bullet last year when they decided not to trade away Mitch Marner for goaltending help.
It’s the kind of move that could have haunted the franchise for years.
Back in May 2023, rumors were swirling that the Leafs might ship their superstar to Nashville for goalie Juuse Saros. The Fourth Period first reported the talks, which had Toronto fans holding their breath.
Thank goodness it never happened.
Mitch Marner has been absolutely on fire this season, racking up 71 points in just 55 games. That’s 16 goals and 55 assists for those keeping score at home. He’s not just playing well – he’s been the team’s clear MVP.
The contrast with Saros couldn’t be more striking.
The Nashville netminder has struggled badly this year, posting an ugly 11-23-6 record with a 2.95 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. It’s a far cry from his previous season’s numbers (35-24-5, 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%) when he looked like one of hockey’s rising stars.
The Leafs were desperate for goaltending help at the time. Joseph Woll was still unproven, and Ilya Samsonov was heading to free agency. The pressure to make a move was intense.
Instead, Toronto played it smart. They bet on Woll’s development and signed Anthony Stolarz as backup – a move that’s looking better with each passing game. Stolarz might just be the best free-agent goalie signing the Leafs have made in years.
Now Toronto faces a different challenge with Marner: keeping him. He’s due for a massive payday, and if the Leafs can’t lock him up, some team is going to back up the Brinks truck – especially if he delivers in the playoffs.
Sure, trading for Saros would have been cheaper in the short term. But sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
Just imagine where the Leafs would be without Marner right now. Actually, maybe don’t.
