It’s been a while since the Toronto Maple Leafs have lost a player of the stature and star power of Mitch Marner. Fans may miss his high-energy game and playmaking contributions, but those who own his No. 16 jersey are now left in limbo as they (visually, at least) continue to support a player that isn’t around anymore. This is made all the more awkward given the fact that Marner wasn’t exactly viewed in the most glowing light as he departed the organization.
So what is a fan to do now? Fork out $200 on a new jersey? Focus on the front of the jersey rather than the back? Maybe they can even go the masking tape route that we’ve seen before and DIY a new name and number onto the back (Marner’s 16 could easily be turned into Steven Lorentz’s 18, for example).
For those who have sported their Marner jersey for most or all of his nine seasons spent in the Maple Leafs organization, perhaps it’s time for a new sweater. The question, then, comes down to whose name and number should adorn the back. Fans will have their own personal favourite players, but other factors like future stability in Toronto and long-term viability as a key part of the club should be considered as well.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best player jersey options for fans looking to move on from Marner or just support someone new.
Matthew Knies
As one star player departs Toronto, another continues to emerge among the cream of the crop within the organization. At just 22 years of age (he turns 23 in October), Matthew Knies announced himself as one of the Maple Leafs’ top forwards with a 29-goal, 58-point breakthrough campaign in 2024-25. The expectations for the 2025-26 season will be even higher with the belief that he is now cemented as a top-line winger next to Auston Matthews.
(Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)
While maintaining the same rate of growth as an NHL player is no sure thing for Knies, he already seems like a safe bet to be an impact player for years to come. This summer saw the Phoenix, Arizona native sign a six-year, $46.5 million deal that will keep him under contract through to 2031. If he continues to perform at or above the level we’ve seen thus far, it’s hard to envision him going anywhere else before then.
On top of his on-ice exploits, Knies has become a focus of increased off-ice attention for…
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