Is Mitch Marner heading to Vegas to handle Toronto's blueline needs?

President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan was cited as saying that the Leafs during their season-ending press conference. Many interpreted this to mean that the would not be together come training camp or the start of the following season.

John Tavares and Mitch Marner were the most likely candidates to be transferred, but with Auston Matthews and William Nylander inked to extensions, Tavares has practically already stated he plans to play out his deal in Toronto, so Marner and his $10.9M seem to be the odd man out, so to speak.

Numerous fake trades featuring Marner have been circulating, but one that would be reasonable for the Leafs and their trade partner has Marner being sent to the Golden Knights in exchange for Shea Theodore plus.

Theodore, 27, is approaching the last year of his current contract, which has a $5.2 million cap charge. He has established himself as a genuine top-pairing defenseman who can play both the left and right side. In addition to giving the Leafs an attacking punch, the 6'2 and 197-pound blueliner fits the type of defenseman that Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is searching for.

To even the odds in any Marner trade, the Leafs might also ask to include Nicholas Roy in the package in addition to Theodore. In addition to adding some secondary scoring (13 goals, 41 points) and a very large frame (6'4, 200 pounds) to the middle-six, Roy has a $3 million cap cost for the next three seasons.

To be more attractive to both parties, the deal would obviously need to include other pieces, and it probably wouldn't go through until Vegas is unable to retain Chandler Stephenson and/or Jonathan Marchessault.

Marner would also have to agree to waive his no-movement clause as part of the deal, which might not be too difficult to persuade him to do since he would be joining a perennial contender and a tax-free state.

The Leafs have many suitors for the winger who consistently scores 90+ points per game, but it appears less and less likely that Marner will wear blue and white come next season. A trade with Vegas seems to make the most sense for everyone concerned.