Report: Marner eligible for AHL final, but decision lies with Leafs' brass
Mitch Marner might not be allowed to play in the American Hockey League next year, but there's a chance - though perhaps a slim one - he dons a Toronto Marlies sweater in the very near future.
Marlies general manager Kyle Dubas revealed Wednesday that the prized prospect would in fact be eligible to compete in the Calder Cup Final (should they make it that far), and that his inclusion would spur a "large-scale discussion" within the organization, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.
Due to his age, Marner is not eligible to bolt from the major-junior ranks unless he makes the Maple Leafs this fall. But with his junior season wrapping up in a matter of days, the existing mandate between the CHL and NHL apparently allows for this brief and uncommon stint at the professional level.
Marner has proven to be in an entirely different class this season with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights. He racked up 116 points in 57 regular-season games, 44 in 18 playoff games, and is currently averaging a ridiculous 4.33 points through three games at the Memorial Cup.
The high-powered Marlies are down 2-0 in their conference-final series with the Hershey Bears, with the series now shifting to Toronto.