Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving seems to have some monumental shifts in mind for the team’s future. During a recent broadcast of NHL Network, analyst Mike Johnson speculated that Treliving’s talk of altering the team’s “DNA” might have significant implications for the futures of star players Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
Johnson broke it down, explaining that a team changes its DNA either by swapping out key players or by tweaking its style of play. With Marner and Tavares heading towards free agency, they naturally pop up as the focal points of these potential changes.
"You change your DNA by changing your players," Johnson pointed out, sparking quite the buzz throughout the Toronto fanbase and even across the league. "And I think he's directly alluding to Mitch Marner, John Tavares, the two biggest free agents who had great years."
Treliving’s comments came just days after the Maple Leafs were knocked out of the playoff race by the Florida Panthers. The Leafs have been unable to break past the second round for over two decades, and their last victorious dance with the Stanley Cup was way back in 1967. Treliving acknowledged the frustrations borne from these repetitive outcomes, stating that the team needed a fresh approach.
"There’s some DNA that has to change in our team," Treliving remarked, hinting at pivotal changes. "If you keep getting to the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change," he continued. It’s clear Treliving has already begun visualizing the roadmap for the 2025-26 season.
Mitch Marner’s six-year, $65,408,000 contract is set to conclude soon, positioning him as a potential free agent come July 2025. Marner dazzled in the regular season with a career-high 102 points, but his playoff performance left fans wanting more after mustering only a single assist in the final four games.
On the other hand, John Tavares, who is gearing up to celebrate his 35th birthday next season, is awaiting discussions on an extension post his $77 million contract. Since joining the Leafs in 2018 following nine seasons with the New York Islanders, Tavares has been nothing short of a regular-season powerhouse—netting 38 goals this past season alone. Yet playoff victories have been scarce during his tenure, with only two series wins.
As for Marner's future, Treliving has kept the door wide open for "every potential outcome." He noted ongoing dialogues with Marner, emphasizing that while Mitch is an extraordinary player and a true star, there is much to deliberate.
"I think Mitch is a tremendous player," Treliving stated through NHL.com. "We're in that process right now...
You have to prepare for every potential outcome."
Marner, who’s spent his entire career in Toronto, reflected positively on his experience with the franchise and its fanbase, expressing his deep appreciation. "I've always loved my time here," Marner shared. "I loved being here … I've been so grateful."
Beyond Marner and Tavares, the Leafs are home to other key figures like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly, who hold extended contracts stretching out for many seasons ahead, Matthews signed through 2028, Nylander through 2032, and Rielly through 2030. It's a critical juncture for Treliving and the Leafs as they balance current star power with future aspirations.
