‘Everyone Moves On’ – Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Puts Cards on the Table on Mitch Marner’s Noisy Exit

The Toronto Maple Leafs will embark on the 2025-26 season without Mitch Marner in their lineup, marking the end of an era. Growing up as a Leafs fan, Marner spent nine seasons with the franchise before joining the Vegas Golden Knights. Drafted fourth overall by Toronto, the winger was once the final piece of the “Core Four” that now ceases to exist without him.

Marner’s departure was a highly publicized affair that divided the fanbase. Many supporters have lost confidence in the Maple Leafs following Marner’s exit, as shown in polling results by The Athletic. However, the organization continues its Stanley Cup pursuit, with GM Brad Treliving maintaining an optimistic outlook for the team’s future.

How Will Brad Treliving Navigate the Maple Leafs Without Mitch Marner?

Replacing a player of Marner’s caliber presents an obvious challenge. The winger has begun a new chapter with the Vegas Golden Knights, signing an eight-year, $96 million contract. Meanwhile, Treliving has embraced the reality of a Leafs roster without Marner. “We’re going to miss him, but everyone moves on, right?”

Both sides have indeed moved forward. For Treliving, the current Leafs roster holds significant potential. “We’ve got some guys that are looking for a bit of a bigger bite of the apple. We’ve got some new players that will be interesting to see where they fit. But you’re not just going to go out and replace him. You’ve got to do it by the aggregate — and then keep phoning around.”

The players seeking that “bigger bite of the apple” include William Nylander, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews, the remaining members of what was once the Core Four. Nylander appears positioned for unprecedented heights in 2025-26. The 29-year-old has earned recognition among the top wingers by the NHL and EA Sports while also receiving the Golden Puck Award.

Following Marner’s departure, the remaining “Core Three” can expect expanded responsibilities on the ice. However, they’ll also enjoy greater opportunities to showcase their individual talents.

Treliving is particularly excited about the younger players joining the mix. “We’ve got a couple of young guys that will be interesting to see where they’re at, especially with (Easton) Cowan, and you’ve got (Matias) Maccelli coming in, and Nick Roy, and (Dakota) Joshua.”

What Makes This Roster Construction Different for Toronto?

Matias Maccelli has earned the confidence of Shane Doan, Treliving’s special advisor. Doan witnessed Maccelli’s performance during his early days with the Arizona Coyotes and believes the young forward is passionate about making a significant impact with Toronto.

While Marner brought undeniable star power to the Leafs, his exit creates unexpected opportunities. As Pierre LeBrun notes in The Athletic, “There are a couple of ways to look at Marner’s exit. It’s incredibly hard to replace his offense, and they certainly haven’t. He’s a superstar. But on the flip side, the Leafs have more cap flexibility than they’ve had in a long time.”

This salary cap relief allows Toronto to address other roster needs and potentially make moves throughout the season. As both the Leafs and Marner adjust to their new realities, the 2025-26 campaign will reveal how each side adapts to life without the other.