The Toronto Maple Leafs could look considerably different next season, as Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun writes that the franchise has declared everyone available bar two players.

Following Toronto being eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the head office said everything will be considered. Mitch Marner and John Tavares became the two players involved in most trade speculations.

However, in Simmons’ latest story for the Toronto Sun, he says that Toronto has made it obvious that everyone is available for trade except for Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

“Here’s the plan, much as there is one: The Leafs have basically let it be known in the hockey world they are in trade mode. Just about everybody and everyone is for sale save for Auston Matthews and William Nylander,” Simmons wrote in his article. “The idea, according to those close to general manager Brad Treliving, is to build a Leafs team that can be more competitive come playoff time — better and tougher to play against — both stronger defensively and steadier in goal.”

As Simmons writes, the goal for the Maple Leafs is to get stronger defensively and better in the net, while also becoming a more complete club. Currently, the Maple Leafs have over $46 million in payroll for their four core forwards, Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares thus Toronto might try to move one or two of them and utilize that money on other players to build out their depth.

Maple Leafs’ Plan for Marner

The biggest trade piece that Toronto possesses is Marner, who has one year left on his six-year $65 million deal.

However, Marner has a full no-movement clause, so he has to authorize any trade. Simmons writes that Toronto won’t ask Marner to waive his no-movement clause until they have agreed on a deal.

“The NHL knows it’s open season on Marner offers. How often is a 95-point, penalty-killing winger available? The Leafs won’t put the wagon before the horse here. They will listen. If one of the proposals satisfies their criteria, then — and only then — will they involve Marner in the process and try to convince him why it’s in his best interest to seek elsewhere,” Simmons wrote.

“If no deal for Marner can be completed — or he doesn’t allow one — it makes next season a greater challenge than expected. The Leafs need help in goal and on defense and, with next-to-no money to spend, what’s Treliving to do?,” Simmons added.

Marner recorded 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 regular season games last year. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 7 games.