Maple Leafs working on hard trade pitch for bona fide top-six forward

We all knew it was coming, but now Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is ready to fill the void left by the departure of Mitch Marner in Toronto. On Tuesday morning right before the free-agent market opened in the NHL, former Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner officially became a member of the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign and trade. Toronto moved Marner to Vegas in exchange for forward Nicolas Roy. As part of the deal, Marner then signed an eight-year, $96 million contract that will keep him in Vegas through the 2032-33 season.

The focus now shifts to try to replace Marner, and according to Sportnet’s Luke Fox, Treliving will survey the trade market to try and find a bona fide top-six forward.

“Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said. “That’s really where our focus is.”

Fox added: “Instead of shelling out for more bottom-six options, Treliving is choosing patience. He’d rather survey the trade market, target a bona fide top-six forward (probably a winger, only due to the absence of available 2Cs), and make a hard pitch.”

At this time with the market as it is, there is a feeling that Treliving might have to wait until the regular season to address that issue.

Because as we have come to find out, it’s easier said than done.

Later on Wednesday, the Maple Leafs signed forward Vinni Lettieri to a one-year contract, though he is not expected to be that bonafide replacement for Marner.