Maple Leafs Among 2 Canadian Teams With Interest in UFA Mason Marchment

There were reports this month that pending unrestricted free agent Mason Marchment will be going to market on July 1st, as the Columbus Blue Jackets have not been able to come to terms with the big forward on an extension. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested that "barring a significant change in talks, Marchment is heading to market...(and is) prepared to leave Columbus."

The latest news on the 6'5" forward with the heavy, two-way game, is that two prominent Canadian teams are among those with interest in signing him, per Pierre LeBrun on TSN Insider Trading. 

My understanding is that Montreal and Toronto are potential fits for Mason Marchment. Both teams that have interest and can talk to him next Wednesday if he hits the market.

Certainly, both the Habs and the Leafs have been looking for more secondary scoring, and an addition to their top six. 

A Marchment signing in Toronto would be an intriguing reunion

For Toronto, it would be a full-circle moment if they're able to land Marchment. And really, a chance to right a wrong in letting him go. 

He went undrafted after his junior run in the OHL, and began his professional hockey career with the Leafs organization, first with the AHL's Marlies, and then on a two-way deal with the Maple Leafs. But he only got into four games at the NHL level before they gave up on him, and he eventually flourished with the Florida Panthers and really kick-started his career at the age of 26.

After an 18-goal season with Florida in 2021-22, he was able to land a four-year, $18 million contract ($4.5M AAV). He's just wrapped up three consecutive seasons averaging right around the 20-goal, 45-point mark. 

But he'll head to market riding a wave, as his numbers in the second half of this past season with Columbus were even better, with 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games, with a plus/minus rating of +21 while logging a career-high 17:41 average time on ice. 

AFP Analytics projects Marchment to land a three-year deal with a $5.67 million AAV, and there will be plenty of interested parties, not just Toronto and Montreal.

"It sounds like there’s a robust market shaping up for Mason Marchment if he gets to free agency," LeBrun wrote. 

The insider also noted that the Blue Jackets haven't quite closed the door on him just yet, either.