At first glance, this might appear to heavily favor the Rangers. However, by making this move, the Maple Leafs would free up an additional $3.8 million in cap space, granting them added flexibility while acquiring a game-changing defenseman.
Meanwhile, New York would acquire another star forward without giving up a first-round pick, enhancing their offensive lineup. With ongoing speculation linking them to multiple defensemen, this move would provide the Rangers the flexibility to pursue additional significant trades.
However, should Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs opt to trade Mitch Marner, they could potentially secure additional future assets. Both players possess no-trade clauses in their contracts, necessitating intricate negotiations to facilitate this transaction.