Mitch Marner is expected to become one of the highest-paid players in the NHL either as a free agent or if his rights are traded and he signs before hitting the open market.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Boston Bruins "would certainly be open to bringing him back" and that the Leafs, along with the Bruins, "hope to talk to him" when the free agency window opens on Tuesday. Florida already brought back Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett. That makes bringing back Marchand the team's top priority.

Marner and the Maple Leafs have been regular-season winners since 2016-17 – Marner’s rookie season – but they have gotten out of the first round just twice.