What could make Dubas and the Penguins avoid Leaf's superstar

There has been even more speculation that Toronto's Mitch Marner is on the table for a trade. So, why should the Penguins avoid this opportunity?

It is almost a guarantee that Mitch Marner will be traded out of Toronto during this off-season. Having a forward like Marner could be a very tempting opportunity, but Dubas might just look to avoid bringing him on.

After being fired from Toronto, and now finishing his first full year as Penguins GM, Dubas has already looked at and added players and staff members from the Leafs so that trend could continue.




But shortly before he was fired, Dubas said that he was ready to remove the core group of superstars in Toronto which would include him getting rid of Marner. It was looking like he wanted to move Marner before his no trade clause kicked in.

In a quote from Dubas last May, he said:


Although Marner is a great player, he is someone who has yet to prove himself in the playoffs. With 57 playoff games now under his belt, he only scored 11 goals. During the 2020 and 2021 playoffs, he had zero.

Like with other teams, Marner speculation has started in Pittsburgh.



The Penguins have what it takes right now to make the playoffs, playing the way they did after the trade deadline. So, why would they want to add a $10 million a year player to the roster who will not help them get even further. It was a concern Dubas had before leaving Toronto.

The other issue is Marner's contract. He only has one year left on his deal. Do the Penguins want to have to worry about another contract negotiation so soon, and for someone who can probably get $10-11 million a year? Whoever does get Marner can probably work out an extension before his contract is up. But is that affordable for the Penguins?



It will be something Dubas thinks about as Crosby, Letang and Malkin close in on the end of their careers. There is chatter about multiple teams looking to catch this star, so it would not be a total surprise if the Penguins did not try to throw a trade option to Toronto and see what happens.

As Read On: The Hockey News -
Why Penguins Might Avoid Maple Leafs Superstar