If Mitch Marner makes it to free agency, there is a chance he'd sign somewhere for less than the maximum seven years he'd be able to get on the open market. But what if he could end up in a market he liked and on a Stanley Cup contender?
It's not out of the question that Marner could still seek maximum term and this is where a sign and trade could get interesting for everyone involved. For Toronto, allowing a sign and trade might be the best resolution of all. Dealing Marner would ensure they get something back for losing him, and doing so with a contract in place would bring a return that's far more enticing and impactful than simply trading his negotiating rights. They might be able to bring in a roster player to replace him with.