Maple Leafs reporter believes big changes coming for pending UFA Mitch Marner

After Auston Matthews' coronation as the 26th captain in team history, and confirmation that former captain John Tavares will don the 'A', that only leaves one player left to form the leadership trio.

There's a lot of speculation about who it could be. Morgan Rielly certainly deserves a shot given his veteran presence and his consistency and being a mainstay for the last 10 years; maybe a new face like Chris Tanev or Oliver Ekman-Larsson will get to wear the 'A'; or could it be the captain's second-in-command and linemate Mitch Marner?

According to Maple Leafs reporter and 'Leafs Morning Take' host Nick Alberga, Mitch Marner would be a very surprising pick; shocking his co-host Jay Rosehill.

Rosehill retorted that statement, and asked Alberga if he was serious or not, and Alberga did not hold back.

Certainly having an 85 point season, and being a consistent presence on the ice alongside Auston Matthews should give him some consideration, however with him going to command a very large contract this 2025 offseason one would think that investing into your previous assets would prove to be more beneficial and influential at the end of the day.

Tavares a week ago looked like he was on the outside looking in, and fast forward in time and it seems that #16 is the one looking through the window; not knowing if or when his time is up with Toronto.

For the full Leafs Morning Take episode:

Source: HockeyDB
Mitchell Marner Statistics