If you are reading this, then the Toronto Maple Leafs blew a 3-1 series lead to their rival Canadian team… the Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs were by far the better team throughout the series, but somehow the Canadiens got it done. Most of their success comes down to the lack of success of the Maple Leafs’ top players. Of course, John Tavares was hurt on a scary play, so he doesn’t count. However, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were on the ice for a combined 300+ minutes, but they combined for just one goal in the series.
Obviously, two players making north of $10.9 million have to bring a lot more than that in every seven-game stretch, but they especially need to do it in the playoffs. Carey Price played well, but it’s not like he turned into 2003 Martin Brodeur.
Right now, Marner is public enemy number one in Toronto. Maple Leafs fans would trade him for a ham sandwich if Kyle Dubas was hungry right now. Unfortunately for the New Jersey Devils, Dubas probably isn’t eating for a month after this loss.
The New Jersey Devils should be on the phone by the weekend asking Dubas what it would cost for the Devils to get Marner. Sure, he costs close to $11 million. Yes, he’s not even the top player on the Leafs. He completely disappeared when it mattered most. The Devils should still trade for him today, tomorrow, and every week until the beginning of next season.
Honestly, it might be best for the Maple Leafs to trade Marner. He makes them better and they couldn’t use that money to replace his production, but sometimes things just don’t work. This Maple Leafs team just doesn’t work. Call it a curse, call it luck, but this mixture of talents isn’t leading to playoff success. The Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since before the lockout. No, not the 2012 lockout, the one that took a whole season in 2004-05.
The Devils would have to negotiate hard because of Marner’s contract. He’s only 23 years old, but paying anyone $10.9 million is a hard pill to swallow when the Devils have to pay Jack Hughes next year and they still need to fix the defense. Still, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
The Devils wouldn’t have to give up a crazy asset. Alexander Holtz and Dawson Mercer are probably off the table. If it costs someone like that, the Devils would say no. However, there are assets that the Leafs like. They’ve been tied to players like Damon Severson in the past. They could like some of the Devils young forwards. However, the dialogue needs to happen. Get Dubas while the emotion is still raw and trade for Marner.