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Maple Leafs Should Overpay for Mitch Marner Replacement, Claims Analyst
Maple Leafs Should Overpay for Mitch Marner Replacement, Claims Analyst originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With another early playoff exit and a change looming, Sean Avery believes the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make a bold move this summer, starting with letting forward Mitch Marner go once he reaches free agency.
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Avery called for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to pursue Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett in free agency, even if it means outbidding the market.
Speaking on the "JD Bunkis Podcast," Avery said the Leafs must finally commit to reshaping their identity, and Bennett is the type of player who can lead that change.
'All the money that organization has wasted on guys, the least they can do is overpay one guy who is actually going to leave an imprint on the DNA of the organization,' Avery said. 'Even if he plays six of the eight years, it'll be the best money ever spent.'
Bennett is entering free agency after scoring 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season.
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) follows the play during a game at Scotiabank Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Panthers forward also leads the NHL playoff field with 20 points and has scored 14 goals over 20 postseason games, leading the Panthers to another Stanley Cup Final.
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Bennett is currently in the final year of a four-year, $17.7 million contract with Florida, but he's expected to command a major salary raise in his next deal.
Avery's plan might be sound, but according to James Mirtle of The Athletic, odds are that Bennett won't reach free agency at all this summer, opting instead to re-sign with the Panthers.
"Sorry to disappoint any fans of teams that need a center — which honestly feels like at least half the league right now — but no one I spoke to around the league expects Sam Bennett to be available," Mirtle wrote. "He likes playing in Florida too much — and the feeling is mutual."
According to PuckPedia, the Leafs have $25.7 million of available cap space entering the offseason.
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Related: Connor McDavid's Blunt Take on Sam Bennett's Aggressive Play
Related: NHL Insider Links Panthers to Mitch Marner in Bold Pre-Free Agency Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
