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Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Linked to New Eye-Opening Landing Spot

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner will be the most talked-about name on the open market this offseason. With Marner entering into free agency, there will be no shortage of teams who are interested in signing the veteran.

However, due to the extreme price tag that it will take to sign him, only a handful of teams will likely be serious in the pursuit. Marner has the ability to help any team, and he isn't expected to return to Toronto.

One team that could have its sights on landing Marner is the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim took a leap in the standings this past season, but still fell short of breaking its long playoff drought.

But with new head coach Joel Quenneville in town, Anaheim could become a destination spot. Patrick Present of The Hockey News has linked Marner with the Ducks heading into the summer.

"He is potentially the most scrutinized player in the NHL and could benefit from playing in a lower-profile market such as Anaheim. The possibility of slotting Marner into a top line next to Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier is as tantalizing an option as any, and the trio could become a dominant line for the foreseeable future, on both sides of the puck and in all three zones."

Anaheim will have money to spend this summer, and could benefit from someone ike Marner. With a young supporting cast, the Ducks could vault into contender status if Marner were to join the team.

"A $13 million AAV would make Marner the highest-paid winger in the NHL, but he’s the kind of player who rarely becomes available. With the amount of cap space the Ducks have, and if they are interested in adding him, he’s the kind of player a team wouldn’t regret offering what it took to get him to put pen to paper.", Present continued.

The Ducks will be in direct competition for the services of Marner, and it remains to be seen if he would entertain a team like Anaheim. But if he were up to the challenge, it could be a strong situation for years to come.

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

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