Mitch Marner must be glad the Leafs didn’t trade him to this team

Mitch Marner must be thanking his lucky stars he didn’t waive his no-movement clause to join Ryan O’Reilly in Nashville.

During the offseason, the Nashville Predators were reportedly interested in trading for Mitch Marner. According to reports, former Toronto Maple Leafs centre Ryan O’Reilly had talked Preds’ GM Barry Trotz into making a pitch for Marner.

However, the Leafs were never trading Marner. It is unclear what, if any offer was made for Marner. It seems the two clubs did discuss a potential move with the deal failing to gain traction.

After missing on adding Mitch Marner, the Predators proceeded to make the splash they wanted by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei in free agency. The Preds also extended starting goaltender Juuse Saros to a massive eight-year deal.

Mitch Marner must be glad the Leafs didn’t trade him to Nashville

It’s worth pointing out that one rumour revolved around a purported deal with Marner and Saros being the main pieces in the deal.

The deal never happened and Marner must be breathing a sigh of relief that he sat on his hands. Had he agreed to waive his no-movement clause, this season could have had a completely different outcome for both Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So, why is Mitch Marner breathing a sigh of relief?

The Preds were picked as one of the big offseason winners. But as conventional wisdom dictates in virtually every sport, winning the offseason doesn’t necessarily translate into winning during the season.

And, that’s exactly what’s happened to the Predators. Stamkos and Marchessault have yet to deliver on the hype they generated during the offseason. While Saros has played up to his usual standards, the Predators are 5-9-1. That record ties with the Chicago Blackhawks for last place in the Central Division.

Had Marner agreed to a trade, he would have gone from the Leafs, currently second in the Atlantic and looking better every game, to the cellar-dwelling Predators. Though, obviously, had they landed Marner, they would have won the off-season by about six miles and likely would not be in the basement right now.

Now, assuming the deal had gone through, who knows how the Leafs would have fared this season? Marner has stepped up significantly since Auston Matthews went on IR. Without Marner, there’s no telling who could have filled the void. This is why the Leafs didn't traded him, and likely will re-sign him - you literally cannot just go out and replace one of the five best players to ever play for your franchise.

Ultimately, Marner and the Leafs were better off biting their tongue on dealing Marner to Nashville. Perhaps in some parallel universe, Marner goes to Nashville, Stamkos stays in Tampa, and Saros carries the Leafs to a Cup.

But in this one, Marner has emerged as the Leafs best player, while Stamkos and Saros stare at an impending rebuild in Nashville.