Superstar Winger May Be Hitting the Trading Block, But the Timing is Unfortunate for the Leafs

All summer long, many pundits and analysts were wondering how the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to replace Mitch Marner's roster spot and offensive productivity.

Ironically, the perfect replacement never really existed at the time the Leafs had an abundance of cap space, and as the cookie crumbles, Artemi Panarin's name has surfaced as a possible trade candidate but the timing is unfortunate.

There's a lot to unpack but the New York Rangers might be looking towards the trade market for a few of their star players, at least according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

With the Leafs carrying very little cap space at the moment, it makes a move for Panarin's $11.64 million dollar cap hit that much more difficult. It seems unlikely that New York retains half as well, but if extension talks fall through they could be tempted, however the return would have to be astronomical.

Ben Danford and Easton Cowan would be the 2 prospects that the Rangers would be looking at, but it probably isn't enough to move the needle for them, especially with Toronto lacking valuable draft compensation.

On the flip side, it might be a gamble not worth taking for the Leafs to unload either prospect - or both - for an aging winger that needs a new contact in the summer that could reach over $13 million per season.

Toronto is projected to have close to $25 million in cap space next summer, which would be enough to sign Panarin, however based on his contractual demands - which likely includes term - it could be a move out of their price point.

Panarin will also be 35 by the time the 2026-27 season rolls around, and despite collecting 550 points over his 6-year stint with the Rangers, it could be too much of a risk for the Leafs to deploy that much cap space into an aging winger.

Had this come about in June or July, when the Leafs had cap space, it would have a totally different tone, and something Brad Treliving should have actually considered. Unfortunately, despite the high-level of skill, the timing is just off for the Leafs, who need to be more shrewd with their cap situation moving forward.