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East Playoff Team Expected to Take 'Massive Swing' at Signing Mitch Marner

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:23 PM ET

Mitch Marner has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Markham, Ontario, native was drafted fourth overall by his hometown team in 2015 and has given everything to the franchise, recording 221 goals, 520 assists and 741 points.

However, since entering the league in the 2016-17 NHL season, the Leafs have made it past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs only twice, losing both times in the second round.

A big change is needed to get over the hump. With Marner’s six-year contract set to expire this summer, all signs point to him leaving the organization.

With July 1 nearing quickly, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes are one team expected to take a "massive swing" at signing Marner if the Leafs officially decide to let him walk.

"When/if Mitch Marner hits the open market July 1, the expectation is the Carolina Hurricanes are going to take a massive swing to try and sign him," Pagnotta said. "Sources say we shouldn’t be surprised if they go above $14M on an AAV over a 7-year term. UFA market opens in 18 days."

The Hurricanes are coming off their second Eastern Conference Final appearance in the past three seasons, but it's clear they need more to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Across nine conference final games in those two playoff runs, they are 1-8. That's not going to cut it, but adding a player like Marner could be the answer. Raleigh is a much smaller market compared to Toronto, and he won't be under the microscope like he was in his hometown.

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

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