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Ducks Urged to Pursue Maple Leafs' Star After Joel Quenneville Hire

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 5:53 PM ET

The Anaheim Ducks hired former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville to lead the team forward. Anaheim believes that Quenneville can help this team take that next step to get back to the postseason and contend for a Stanley Cup title.

But with Quenneville now in the mix, Anaheim seems ready to make a splash across the roster. The Ducks desperately need a boost offensively, and the team could solve some issues by going after one player in free agency.

That would be star Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is expected to have a robust market. But Anaheim would be a perfect landing spot for the forward.

In fact, Ducks insider Eric Stephens of The Athletic is urging Anaheim to make a heavy push to land the Maple Leafs star.

"The Ducks are positioned to make a gigantic splash in free agency. Marner was the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer. Wanting him and getting him might be different matters, but the last Ducks player to finish that high in the scoring race was Ryan Getzlaf (with 87 points) in 2013-14. Can you imagine a top line with Marner, Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier as they chart a path to the playoffs?"

Marner could help this young Ducks team grow immensely, and his skill set would fit well alongside some of the other players on the roster. The veteran has been in the media circus that is Toronto for his entire career, and if he were to come to Anaheim, it would be a stark difference.

It remains to be seen how involved the Ducks will be in the pursuit of Marner, but the team makes a lot of sense. Anaheim seems ready to strike, and Marner could be the spark to move them forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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