With Mitch Marner’s future in Toronto still uncertain, speculation is heating up about who could potentially fill his skates if the star winger moves on.
One name gaining traction is Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Ehlers has emerged as a possible target for the Maple Leafs, especially as the team looks to manage salary cap concerns while staying competitive.
Could the skilled, speedy winger be the answer Toronto needs in the post-Marner era?
Why Nikolaj Ehlers Could Be a Smart Replacement for Mitch Marner
Ehlers isn’t just fast; he’s reliable on both ends of the ice and quietly puts up solid offensive numbers. Even though he didn’t get a lot of ice time in Winnipeg (just over 16 minutes a game), he still managed to score at a pace of around 27 goals and 63 points in a full season.
Ehlers recently played a key role in Denmark’s impressive 2025 IIHF World Championship run, scoring three goals in just four games. Thanks to those strong performances, Denmark secured a historic fourth-place finish, their best-ever result in the tournament’s history.
Congratulations Nikolaj Ehlers and Denmark Hockey for a historic finish at the 2025 IIHF World Championship ♥️ 🇩🇰
Fly tallied three goals in four games, and a fourth place finish was the best-ever result for Denmark at the tournament! pic.twitter.com/EZOpMw0dLl
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets)
Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne pointed out that Ehlers could be a smart and more affordable replacement if Marner ends up leaving. With a projected salary of around $8 million to $8.25 million per year, Ehlers would be cheaper than Marner and still bring strong offensive power. Plus, his lower cost would leave the Leafs with more money to improve other parts of the team.
“Ehlers could be a tempting option and would leave them room to add something else,” Justin Bourne mentioned.
Toronto has over $26 million in cap space this offseason, which means they do have some room to make moves. While keeping Marner is still an option, Ehlers gives the Leafs a strong Plan B, one that could quietly work out really well if he’s given a bigger role.
Will Mitch Marner Stay With the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is looking uncertain after yet another tough playoff loss. His six-year, $65.4 million contract is set to end soon, and as of now, there’s no new deal in place. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun doesn’t think anything will change before his contract expires.
Back in March, Marner didn’t agree to waive his no-movement clause even though the Carolina Hurricanes showed interest. And during his exit interview, he didn’t give a clear answer about wanting to stay.
Marner only said, “I’ve always loved my time here… “I loved being here … I’ve been so grateful.”
Marner ended up scoring 102 points in 81 games and adding 13 more in the playoffs. But the team came up short again, losing to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second round. That means the Leafs still haven’t made it past the second round since 2002.
All eyes will be on Toronto’s front office, Marner’s next move, and whether the Leafs decide to re-sign their star winger or explore trade options.
