NHL Rumors: Top insider drops bombshell update on $65,418,00 Mitch Marner’s future with Toronto Maple Leafs

The ongoing saga between Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs has hit an interesting twist. According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving would rather keep Mitch Marner in the fold rather than trade him.

Dreger made the following comments on a recent appearance on the FirstUp show. He said:

"I think Treliving would rather extend than trade."

While there is no guarantee that the Maple Leafs won’t trade Marner, the team’s position at this moment reportedly seems to be to hold on to Mitch Marner.

Dreger added the following insights:

"I believe, based on people that I’ve talked to, again, as we’re having this conversation, Marner’s preference is to play out his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s got one year remaining. It doesn’t mean he’s going to walk out the door after next year."

Dreger added

"Of course, there’s a risk of that because he’d be an unrestricted free agent. It’s not the perfect position for the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Dreger concluded his analysis by saying:

"Are we so sure that Toronto doesn’t want to extend Mitch? I’m not. I think that Treliving would rather extend than trade. But they’re not having those discussions yet, either. It’s early. It’s still very premature across the board."

The Toronto Maple Leafs cannot sign Mitch Marner to an extension until July 1. If and when that happens, it remains to be seen.

Mitch Marner has upper hand in the current discussions

Whatever Treliving and the Maple Leafs’ management decide to do, Mitch Marner has a great deal of control over the outcome. Marner has a no-movement clause in his contract, meaning any potential trade would need to get authorization from Marner and his agent.

That being said, the Leafs aren’t about to make a move for the sake of making a move. When asked by The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun in June, Treliving reportedly said:

“Mitch controls a lot of this whole thing. If there’s a way to make our team better, we’re going to do it. But we’re certainly not going to make a trade just so we can pound our chest and say, ‘Look, we’re different.’”

Treliving’s comments highlight how the Leafs want to publicly control the narrative as having some measure of control over the situation. While there are all sorts of rumors regarding trade scenarios, one thing is certain: No trades can happen unless Marner is on board.

Until something that appeals to Marner happens, he is set to remain a Toronto Maple Leaf.