Mitch Marner's Maple Leafs breakup is the Blackhawks' opportunity of the decade

The Toronto Maple Leafs finished yet another postseason early, falling in Round 2 in a Game 7 to the Florida Panthers. If this is the end of Mitch Marner's tenure in Toronto, the Blackhawks have an opportunity to make their team better.

Mitch Marner finished the 2024-25 season putting up a career high in points. Through 81 games Marner registered 27 goals and 102 points. Going into the postseason, Marner led the Maple Leafs in points, but once again the team fell short when it mattered most.

Marner finished the playoffs with 2 goals and 13 points through 13 games, the second highest point getter behind only William Nylander. Much has been said throughout the season about Marner. From a failed trade to a playing without a contract it seems like the writing is on the wall that Marner will be leaving Toronto in free agency.

The Toronto Maple Leafs breakup with Mitch Marner is the Blackhawks opportunity of the decade.

Personally I am not a fan of comparing this generation of the Blackhawks to eras of the past. No two teams are the same. With that said, signing Marner this offseason could prove similar to another major signing of the past.

The Chicago Blackhawks dynasty core of the 2010s wasn't built over night. It took years drafting guys like Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook it took smart trades adding someone like Patrick Sharp and arguably most importantly it took good moves in free agency like signing Marian Hossa on July 1, 2009.

Hossa came to Chicago as a veteran looking to quash his playoff demons. Someone stepping into a young roster ready to lead and losing in back to back Stanley Cup Finals. Marner could come to Chicago in a similar situation.

The Blackhawks have an opportunity to add a dynamic two-way forward to their top six. Someone who can thrive on a line with Connor Bedard and be apart of a bright future in Chicago.

If Marner came to Chicago he wouldn't have to sleigh another team's playoff demons. Blackhawks fans have witnessed three Stanley Cup parades since Marner was born, the same can't be said about Toronto.

With the Blackhawks, Marner would get to write his own story, helping to lead a new team to success.