Mitch Marner must go, John Tavares can stay, reader poll results say

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Goodbye, Mitch Marner.

You can stay, John Tavares, but only under certain conditions.

And Morgan Rielly, if you wouldn’t mind considering waiving your no-move clause in the event that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving asks you to do so.

The results of our off-season Leafs poll are in.

In having your say following another disappointing end to a Leafs season — this time against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs — you think the Leafs and Marner should go their separate ways, Tavares should be retained on a team-friendly contract and Rielly should think about forgoing the final five years on his contract.

Change during the summer would include trying to sign impending free agents Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, though Nikolaj Ehlers would also catch your interest when the market opens on July 1.

As for a couple of players who built their respective National Hockey League careers on achieving big-time success with the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, you would take a pass.

We thank you for taking the time to participate. Here are the full results:

How would you describe the Brendan Shanahan era?

1. He brought the team back to a level of respect that was required. (20.44%, 131 votes)
2. Great strides were made, but not enough. (31.05%, 199 votes)
3. He was too stubborn with his allegiance to the core. (33.39%, 214 votes)
4. Glad it’s done. He had run his course. (15.12%, 97 votes)

Treliving recently said that there’s some DNA that has to change in the Leafs. Are you confident that can happen with captain Auston Matthews, under contract for three more years, and William Nylander, under contract for seven years, on the roster?

1. Yes. Another year under Craig Berube will only help. (66.13%, 373 votes)
2. No. They’re part of the issue in the bigger picture. (33.87%, 191 votes)

What best describes your feelings about Mitch Marner’s future?

1. A breakup is required. He should not be retained. (64.48%, 374 votes)
2. Try to keep him. The core is on the cusp of breaking through. (35.52%, 206 votes)

What do you think about the future of John Tavares?

1. Re-sign him, but only for a hometown discount and no more than three years. (77.02%, 429 votes)
2. Let him go to the open market. He was part of the core that has repeatedly failed. (22.98%, 128 votes)

What did you think of Berube’s first year as coach?

1. Loved it. The team’s north-south system is the way to go. (31.78%, 177 votes)
2. Steps were made, but the same result in the playoffs was hard to take. (61.22%, 341 votes)
3. Not much of a difference in points from Sheldon Keefe. Leafs need to get back to more offence next season. (7%, 39 votes)

What has to be Treliving’s focus this summer?

1. A top-six winger (15.44%, 84 votes)
2. A second-line centre (34.01%, 185 votes)
3. Forward depth (50.55%, 275 votes)

Of these four players, who should Treliving target in free agency?

1. Matt Duchene (16.85%, 91 votes)
2. Brad Marchand (38.89%, 210 votes)
3. Patrick Kane (6.48%, 35 votes)
4. Nikolaj Ehlers (37.78%, 204 votes)

And of these four players, who should Treliving target?

1. Sam Bennett (76.16%, 409 votes)
2. Claude Giroux (6.33%, 34 votes)
3. Jamie Benn (12.66%, 68 votes)
4. Jonathan Drouin (4.84%, 26 votes)

Should the Leafs get seriously involved in trying to sign Jonathan Toews as he looks to make a comeback at the age of 37?

1. Yes. (39.96%, 215 votes)
2. No. (60.04%, 323 votes)

If Treliving has to make a trade during the summer, should Easton Cowan be on the table?

1. Yes. If they need to trade Cowan to get a player who can make a big impact now, go for it. (17.94%, 96 votes)
2. No. He’s their best prospect and you need something to help build for the future. (82.06%, 439 votes)

Which Leafs player most surpassed your expectations in 2024-25?

1. Chris Tanev (12.2%, 66 votes)
2. Anthony Stolarz (38.82%, 210 votes)
3. Matthew Knies (46.58%, 252 votes)
4. Jake McCabe (2.4%, 13 votes)

What would be your signing preference in relation to restricted free agent Matthew Knies?

1. I’ve seen enough. Lock him up for eight years. (73.4%, 389 votes)
2. Need more evidence. A bridge deal would be best. (26.6%, 141 votes)

You can keep one of the Leafs’ other two restricted free-agent forwards. Which one do you re-sign?

1. Nick Robertson (56.2%, 290 votes)
2. Pontus Holmberg (43.8%, 226 votes)

If Treliving buys out a forward, who should it be?

1. David Kampf (23.11%, 119 votes)
2. Calle Jarnkrok (10.09%, 52 votes)
3. Max Domi (20.39%, 105 votes)
4. Ryan Reaves (46.41%, 239 votes)

Morgan Rielly has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million US. Would you approach him and ask him to waive his no-move clause?

1. Yes. (77.82%, 400 votes)
2. No. (22.18%, 114 votes)

The Leafs don’t have a first-round pick in the next three years and their prospect cupboard is fairly bare. What is your concern about the team’s future in that regard?

1. It’s high. The Leafs haven’t won anything yet continue to mortgage give up potential valuable future pieces. (69.22%, 344 votes)
2. Not a big deal. Treliving and his staff will figure it out. (30.78%, 153 votes)

Aside from Cowan, which Leafs prospect are you most optimistic about?

1. Defenceman Ben Danford (61.89%, 294 votes)
2. Goalie Dennis Hildeby (14.11%, 67 votes)
3. Goalie Artur Akhtyamov (14.11%, 67 votes)
4. Forward Luke Haymes (9.89%, 47 votes)

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