Report: Mitch Marner unlikely to return to Maple Leafs, has not engaged with team in discussions

Mitch Marner and his team have refused to speak with the Toronto Maple Leafs as free agency approaches, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts. Marner is widely expected to test free agency on July 1 and sign with another team.

“The Maple Leafs have tried to talk to Marner,” Friedman said. “Marner’s camp has not engaged with them. And I think everyone knows the way this is going to be headed, that on July 1st, he’s going to go out there, he’s going to hit the market, he’s going to pick a team, he’s going to set a contract, and he’s not coming back to Toronto.”

Marner is the top-ranked free agent in this year’s class and could command a new contract that would make him the highest-paid winger in the NHL. It was previously reported that the Carolina Hurricanes are prepared to offer Marner a seven-year deal worth greater than $14 million annually. Marner has been linked to the Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks among other potential suitors.

“It sounds like there’s the possibility, and again, there’s still two-and-a-half weeks to go here, so who knows where this is all going to end up, but it sounds like the possibility that exists that this may not be a July 1st thing. That Marner’s choice could be to set up Zoom, or if teams want, in-person meetings on July 1st or after, and then maybe he goes and visits one or two places,” Friedman said.

“I think, and nobody is confirming this, I think the Maple Leafs were offered one of the meetings too, and another team told me it was kind of funny to them because they’re like, ‘What possibly could be the benefit of a meeting between Marner and the Maple Leafs? They already know everything about each other.

“It’s hard. I’ve love being here, I’m so grateful, but I haven’t talked to my family yet. It’s still so fresh,” Marner said on May 20 during the Maple Leafs’ end-of-year media availability.

Marner spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs after being selected fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft and while there’s still time before July 1, it appears almost certain that he’ll be playing in a new city next fall.